Shooting complex board estimates July target date

CODY (WNE) — Construction on the Wyoming State Shooting Complex south of Cody could begin in July, the joint powers board for the complex said at its inaugural meeting Thursday .

As it currently stands, the board has a draft plan for the project, which was put together by Ardurra Engineering.

The first step for the project’s construction will be building the access road to the venue, which will require paleological and archaeological testing before being approved, board member Glenn Ross said.

Board member James Klessens previewed various upcoming objectives for the board, which included defining the scope of responsibilities for a project manager, whom the board hopes to hire, as well as plans for fundraising to make up the gap in funding for the project.

Currently, the project has $16 million in funding secured, with $10 million coming from the state and $6 million coming from local sources. Klessens said that some additional funding may be available from various other state agencies; however, corporate and individual sponsors will be needed to close the deficit on the project’s $19.5 million cost.

Board members also reviewed leadership positions in anticipation of their next meeting when they will need to elect officers before taking any official action as a board.

Rep. Paul Hoeft, R-Powell, advised the board to share with the public that the operation of the complex will not be a tax burden for county residents and will also be beneficial to local shooting ranges.

“Once this thing gets up and running, it will support itself, and we need to get that information out to the public… People are still going to use their local ranges for practice, and when there’s an event [at the state shooting complex] people will go there,” Hoeft said.

This story was published on April 28, 2025.