Groundbreaking nears — Shooting complex to bid for pistol bay section
POWELL — The Wyoming State Shooting Complex is moving forward with a high expense, high potential revenue portion of the complex as the official groundbreaking approaches.
Board members approved a design for the pistol bays April 9, the last meeting prior to the groundbreaking scheduled for 3 p.m. April 25. Board members approved the final design for the pistol bay area to allow the sending of a request for proposals to build what design committee chair Danny Michael said will be one of the most important, and most expensive aspects of the complex yet.
“This will be a substantial cost, but we feel that this design accomplishes what we need it to. Basically any handgun, multi gun discipline organization could hold [an event] here,” Michael said.
He added it was important to put the project out to bid because of the scope and expense of it.
CEO Patrick Giles said he ran the board’s final pistol bay design by the United States Practical Shooting Association. He said the design not only meets all of the association’s specifications, but the USPSA has submitted a RFP to host nationals in Cody in a future year.
“That is a great indication we’re on the right track,” Giles said.
Board member James Klessens said there may be sticker shock on the cost when they receive proposals, “but if this will get us nationals for the USPSA in a few years, it’s worth it.”
He also supported putting the project out to bid, as with a road network in place contractors have access to the complex and will have plenty of time to complete the project — estimated to take about three months — in time for the expected spring 2027 grand opening.
With the pistol bay design finalized, Giles is now working on the shotgun and rifle courses, which has meant a lot of travel to other complexes to determine what is being done
elsewhere that could work well in Park County.
In particular, he said he took a lot of cues from the Cameo shooting complex in Grand Junction, Colo., for pistol bays and one in Talladega, Ala., for its use of electronic targets for rifle and air gun ranges.
Work is also continuing on determining the scope of the main complex building, expected to host 500-600 people.
To pay for all that, Giles said, he’s also working with board members on fundraising and recently took a big step in that direction when he, with the help from Michael, recently hosted representatives from major firearms manufacturer Glock.
“They’re very excited about plans for the ranges and potential sponsorship opportunities,” Giles said. “They are very interested in getting involved with us in the future.”
This story was published on April 14, 2026.