Nine counties now vying for state shooting complex

EVANSTON — On Friday, March 15, the oversight task force appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon voted to allow Sheridan into the competition to be the site for the $10 million Wyoming shooting sports complex.

Sheridan had turned in its letter of intent almost a week late but, after a brief discussion, the task force voted approval, which raised the number of counties seeking to become the designated site from eight to nine.

The following counties have turned in their letters of intent and been approved to proceed through the process: Uinta, Campbell, Natrona, Park, Cheyenne, Fremont, Hot Springs, Guernsey and Sheridan.

The Wyoming Legislature authorized $10 million to start the building of the complex; however, the cost will potentially be higher, and private funding may have to cover anything above the $10 million.

The general purpose of the recent task force meeting was to determine the strong points and criteria members will be looking for when they receive the nine proposals.

Task force chairman Sen. Larry Hicks asked the group to consider the “hold factor.”

“When reviewing the proposals, we need to look for what about the site will attract and hold people at that location for several days or more.” Hicks said. “Also, we need to decide what specifics we need to ask for in the RFP (request for proposal).”

Suggestions and comments from those attending the meeting included that applicants should have provided the following information:

• A timeline for land acquisition and construction
• The topography of the site
• The ease of acquisition of the land needed and whether there is enough land for future expansion
• Whether infrastructure is readily available
• Available amenities are available and their proximity
• Whether accommodations (lodging, camp sites, restaurants, etc.) are adequate to handle a large influx of people

The main determination that all agreed on was that the RFP should have clear criteria so the counties will know what they will be judged on.

If there were deficiencies in a county’s letter of intent, Hicks suggested, the county should be asked how it can remedy or eliminate those in the proposal.

Applicants also need to  include data on the weather at the site, said Muley Fanatics President and CEO Josh Coursey, and how the applicant would accommodate for wind, snow, and rain – with wind being the most critical for long-range shooting.

The task force also suggested applicants include in the RFP any sponsors who have committed to the complex, any available emergency response services and the proximity to city limits, subdivisions, and other businesses and how the county will buffer it if there is a problem.

“We need to be clear on what we mean by a buffer in the RFP, and we need to be clear on the reasons why we would eliminate anyone,” said task force co-chair Rep. Art Washut.

After several hours of discussion and questions regarding the RFP, Hicks asked for a commitment from everyone on the task force to take the sample RFP they were given and put their comments on it as to what they each see is needed, make corrections and suggestions based on their professional sector/ expertise.

“I’ll work on the language concerning land acquisition,” Hicks said.

Hicks named Nish Goicolea with Game and Fish to work on issues concerning area habitat and wildlife issues and educational opportunities.

He said the task force needs to complete the final RFP draft by the end of the month.

The RFP will be sent out to applicants on April 8.

The task force set a  timeframe for the oversight process as follows:

• April 8 – The RFP will be available.
• June 3 by 5 p.m. – The proposals will be due to the Legislative Service Office.
• June 10 – The LSO will do the initial ranking by committee.
• June 12-14 – A session held to review and screen applicants.
• Week of June 24-28 – The task force will hear oral presentations by applicants.
• July 3 by 5 p.m. – Supplemental information requested by the task force is due to the LSO.
• July 8-19 – Site visits scheduled.
• Aug. 12-16 – Task force meets to make final selection.
• Aug. 19-23 – LSO will draft a recommendation letter to Gov. Mark Gordon, the Joint Appropriations Committee, and Joint Travel, Recreation and Wildlife committee, requesting it draft legislation designating the site and appropriating the $10 million
• August 2024 to Jan. 2025 – The task force will meet with selected site stakeholders.
• Jan. 2025 – Legislation will be introduced, to be effective immediately.

The 12 members of the task force are as follows: Hicks; Co-chair Washut; Sen. John Kolb; Rep. Pepper Ottman; Wyoming Business Council Services Director Brandon Marshall; WBC Strategic Partnership Director Ron Gullberg; Gunwerks Founder and CEO Aaron Davidson; Wyoming Office of Tourism Global Partnership Director James Scoon; Wyoming State Parks Deputy Director Dave Glenn; Wyoming Game and Fish Department Chief of Services Eric Wiltanger; Coursey; and Maven Optics Co-owner Cade Maestas.

This story was published on March 20, 2024.