Skeet Range renovations to give facility fresh look

Somer Breeze-Hanson / Northwest Guardian

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Trap and Skeet Range is closed for renovations until further notice.

The major renovation started Sept. 16 and is expected to re-open before Christmas, but there is no estimated date for completion.

“It’s a well received, badly needed facelift of the range to bring it back up to a good safety standard,” said David Pedroza, the facility manager for the two recreational ranges on post.

Range 15 located on East Gate Road is a rifle and pistol range and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Construction workers are currently in the demolition phase of the skeet range project and are tearing down rotting wood. The safety fences on all six skeet fields will be redone. The handicap access field will also be remodeled to better accommodate wheelchairs.

The houses that hold the target machines will be repaired and painted and the clubhouse will be repainted. The security window shutters will also be replaced.

Heat will be installed in the warehouse that stores the targets and a shed will be constructed to store rental all-terrain vehicles. The off-road vehicle park is located two miles past the skeet range. Rentals are available through the Northwest Adventure Center. There are currently two ATVs available for rent, but Pedroza anticipates having about a dozen when the shed is built. ATVs are unavailable to rent until after the renovation. Pedroza has been working for seven years for the renovation to take place.

To learn more For more information contact the Northwest Adventure Center at 967-6263.