Planning approval for indoor shooting range
The committee and I are delighted to announce that we have received full planning permission to build the indoor range at the field. It is expected to be complete by mid-summer all things being well. Drawings and full details can be found on the Kirklees Planning website here:
Some of you may be aware that work has started today in preparing the site with the removal of several trees between the field and the car parking area.
Unfortunately, this has resulted in the short notice closure of the field and I’m afraid there will be more disruption as the works proceed. A detailed time line of work will be issued in due course. The next piece of work is to clear the brambles which are behind the pavilion to begin the job of creating more parking in this area. Volunteers will be sought for the weekend of May 8-9, specifics to be confirmed nearer the date.
As you know we have received a grant of £50,000 from Sport England for this project. Current estimated costs are just over £60,000 and the total will be met from club reserves and additional grants we have applied for – a sum of £1000 was awarded just the other day from the Hazel Charlesworth Fund.
The above budget will deliver a complete, secure, fully lit insulated building ready for shooting. However, in order to fully kit out the indoor range we have started contacting local businesses asking for donations of key items such as carpeting, bosses (of course we can use our existing stock to get going), heaters (ready for the winter), tables and chairs etc. If any member feels they know a business we should approach, or indeed can support the kitting out in any way, please contact a committee member.
Having spoken with many of the membership over the last four months, I have been really impressed with the level of enthusiasm for this project and the excitement it has created for the future of our club. More than this however, I have learned that a key part of the planning decision process at the council involved taking account of all the supporting comments and testimonials we received from members and others. A huge thank you to everyone who played their part in this.
We will try and keep you updated on how things are going (and to give as much notice of field closures as possible). No doubt you will start to see things taking shape at the field over the next few weeks.
Keep safe, shoot well,
Will
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield