House, Senate made right decision to fund complex completely

As long as nothing surprising like last year’s scrapping of the supplemental budget happens, it looks like the Wyoming State Shooting Complex will have all of the state funds it needs to build the world class facility south of Cody that has been promised. 

With the House and Senate both voting to add $5 million to the budget for the complex last week, the staff and joint powers board will now have $15 million in state funds to add to the donations and sponsorships they expect to surpass $6 million to pay for the creation of the complex and the beginning of its operations. 

Now, it’s up to them to use that money to best effect, which from my time covering the board, I’d say they’re on the way to doing. 

There’s certainly an argument to be made as to whether the state should fund a shooting complex in the first place (I think it’s a good idea but appreciate arguments opposed) but I’d hope that, like when we elect a president, it’s best to root for success for the country’s, or in the case the county’s and the state’s, sake. 

Unlike some of the state legislators in opposition, I do think this facility will be helpful for the state as a whole, although obviously the effect in Park County will be greatest, which is why it was good to see most of our county legislators in support of the additional funding. 

This, after all, is money supporters have said they needed since around the time Park County was chosen as the location of the complex. The $20 million cost is not new, but was formulated as part of a presentation to the Legislature long before work began. It was an unexpected blow last session when the $13.5 million already approved in the supplemental budget (in addition to the assurance of $250,000 per year from state parks for the first few years for operations) was scrapped along with the rest of the budget, which necessitated the scramble to approve $10 million from the general fund to at least provide a base of funds for the complex. 

Now, as long as this comes to fruition, the complex has what it needs to see this project through, as from early signs (like talk of a $2 million sponsorship from a large gun manufacturer) it appears likely all of the rest of the funds needed for this to truly be a world class shooting complex will be available. 

It’s interesting that the budget this year also includes $15 million for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to move to Cheyenne. 

It’s only fitting that the shooting complex budget now also includes the same amount of state appropriation.