After a letter to the editor claimed Wyoming’s State Shooting Complex had swelled from roughly $20 million to more than $50 million, the project’s board moved quickly to swat down the rumor, Gillette News Record reports.
“At our last legislative session, the project cost did not increase,” board chair Glenn Ross said at the Sept. 11 meeting. “We need to dispel the idea that new money is needed or that spending is out of control. None of that is the case.”
What’s driving the confusion? A separate $5 million pot the board plans to tap next session. Ross stressed it isn’t a new line item — it was already set aside for the SSC in a 2023 bill, in addition to the $10 million awarded last spring, and came with a “supermajority” of legislative support.
Design work is also hitting milestones. By the Sept. 25 meeting, design lead and board member Jim Saubier expects to unveil a presentable site map. The board will host a public meeting after that to gather community feedback. Saubier said the final plan should look a lot like the original concept — “with tweaks as dirt and engineering works happen” — and include flexible space capable of hosting large events across shooting disciplines.
Board members are also urging an “aim higher” mindset as fundraising ramps.
“If we’re happy with 6,000 square feet for the event center, guess what we’re going to raise?” board member James Klessens said. “We’re going to build it at 6,000 square feet.”
The point: set ambitious specs to attract the dollars needed for a truly first-class facility.
On the ground, work continues: construction has started on the county road leading to the site, and venue locations for each discipline are close to finalized.
Bottom line from the board: the budget hasn’t blown up — progress is steady, the funding plan is intact, and the next big reveal comes with the site map later this month.
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