Recreation area nears completion

By Sun Advocate

While county officials are planning for the grand opening of North Springs Shooting Range and Recreation Area, construction and maintenance crews are putting the finishing touches on the venue.
The area, located south of Price on Wattis Road, is among a string of county construction projects bearing fruit in spring 2007.
The county ambulance service recently relocated into a new garage and, in the next few weeks, the road department will move into the new maintenance shops on Airport Road. And in June, the county plans to open the fairgrounds event center.
The North Springs facility is primarily viewed as a gun range, but the facility will provide opportunities for all types of activities.
According to Commissioner Steve Burge, the area will provide individuals, families and organizations an opportunity to camp, shoot pistols, rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns, bows, and other weapons.
Burge pointed out that the use of all-terrain vehicles, bikes and hiking will be part of the activities provided at the county owned and operated facility.
Funding for the area came mainly from two sources – the Utah Permanent Community Impact Board and the Carbon County Recreation and Transportation Special Service District. The entities allocated money from royalties and fees paid by energy companies producing gas and coal in Carbon County.
The venue has a number of sites for people who want to use firearms.
•A rifle range – the venue has a 1,000 yard, 600 yard and 100 yard range, with targets.
•A pistol range with targets for 100 yard shooting.
•A clubhouse and restrooms.
•A cowboy town with a hospitality center and restrooms.
•A law enforcement, public range with computerized targeting system and hothouse.
•A partial archery range.
•A dry camping area (no tables or fires) that will accommodate dozens of units.
There are also plans for expanding and adding venues in the future.
Scott Olsen has been hired as the range manager. He is at the site as the final preparations are being completed.
There will be strict rules about use of the range, particularly regarding safety matters, explained Burge.
The county has slated a grand opening for the public at the facility on May 19.