Smallbore Rifle shooting facilities

The Marlborough Smallbore Rifle Association (MSRA) request that Council work with them to develop a long-term strategy for the future of Smallbore Target Rifle target shooting facilities in Marlborough.

The Blenheim indoor range, owned by the Blenheim Smallbore Rifle Club was built over 50 years ago, and is now barely fit for purpose, but due to circumstances beyond the Association’s control is now the only range available in Marlborough, with all three local clubs having to share the range, to the detriment of the sport, and the wider Marlborough community.

MSRA requests that Council commit to meaningful discussions, and fund a strategy document, setting out options for either redevelopment of the Blenheim range, or the development of a new facility.  Background data is already available in the form of documents supplied to Council by MSRA several years ago, when consideration was given by Council to include a rifle range in the A&P Park re-development, however this option was later withdrawn by Council.

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Smallbore Rifle clubs are often the first point of contact that many young (and sometimes not so young), people in New Zealand have with firearms. Many people are apprehensive of firearms and are often led to believe that firearms are dangerous and should be banned.  However, firearms are and, are likely to continue to be a part of our heritage, - particularly here in Marlborough, where hunting, pest control and competitive sport shooting are all popular pastimes. Clubs provide a safe, controlled environment where people can learn to shoot under guided supervision, and our clubs host hundreds of visitors every year.  While most of them do not go on to join a club, and shoot competitively, they have had the experience of handling firearms and have learned about firearms safety in a supportive environment.

Marlborough has a proud history in competitive Smallbore Target Rifle shooting at all levels, with dozens of NZ representatives over the years.  Our Junior and Secondary school athletes have been particularly successful in recent years. This has been due to the dedicated volunteers, and availability of range facilities, including the modern Clubs of Marlborough range which included Air Rifle facilities.

Prior to 2000 the three clubs in Marlborough each had their own range. About 20 years ago the Services club moved out of their dark, outdated Park Terrace (Opawa Street) basement range, due mainly to safety concerns, to share the 12-mound Blenheim Range at Athletic Park.

With the recent closure of the 8-mound Clubs of Marlborough range, the strong Riverside (previously RSA) club has also now moved to the Blenheim range, which has impacted adversely on smallbore target rifle shooting in Marlborough as a whole. Negative factors of the current situation include.

• The size of the Blenheim range in terms of both mound numbers, and clubroom size, is marginal to host our local provincial championship each year.
• The range is not suitable for hosting major events such as the National Inter- Island, or South Island teams matches, events which attract 120, and 160+ competitors respectively, plus officials and supporters. These matches were both hosted successfully in 2014 by creating a temporary 14-mound range in the Clubs of Marlborough hall, combined with the 8-mound Clubs of Marlborough range, however without the Clubs of Marlborough range this is no longer possible.
• The Blenheim range was only just big enough to host the National Secondary schools match last year. If the event participation increases it is likely that Marlborough will lose the opportunity to host this event.
• The stairs (particularly the internal stairs) at the Blenheim range are difficult for older, or less mobile people, and are not accessible by paraplegic sportspeople.
• The building needs major refurbishment.
• Having three clubs sharing one range means the range is booked every weeknight during the winter season (April to September) which severely restricts training opportunities, and clubs’ abilities to host public groups such as scouts, family groups, iwi, and social groups. During the summer off season many of our members are committed to either 50m Outdoor shooting, or Fullbore shooting, however the range is still used one night per week by clubs, and occasionally for training sessions, or hosting public groups. 
• Benchrest shooting, which is growing in popularity, due to it offering accessible participation for older shooters, is not possible on the range.
• While basic air rifle facilities can be set up, range cleanliness is an issue, and championship matches cannot be hosted.  Currently one of our members is the number one ranked woman, and the number two Air Rifle shooter overall in New Zealand. The Blenheim range does not provide a safe environment for her to train, let alone for the Association to attract new air rifle athletes.

The limitations of the Blenheim range to accommodate three clubs means that it is timely to take a long-term view of future range requirements.

Options to extend the number of mounds, and clubroom space at the existing range should be explored, however these are likely to be limited due to the proximity of the Athletic Park equipment shed on the back of the grandstand, and the difficulty reconfiguring the current mound and clubroom layout of the range.

The alternative is a new Marlborough Association range facility which would ideally include.

• Two 10-mound ranges side by side, allowing two clubs to operate at the same time, increasing the opportunity for training, groups, Air Rifle, and Benchrest.
• This would provide 20 mounds in total, sufficient to host the National Inter-Island, and South Island teams matches.
• The range should be designed to provide both Benchrest and Air Rifle facilities, and hopefully be suitable for the new, growing sport of Target Sprint (similar to the winter biathlon, but using a 400m running course, and Air Rifles).
• Good, well-lit exterior access close to car parking to provide safe and easy access for persons bringing rifles to the range.
• Unrestricted access, particularly in on weeknight evenings when most shooting takes place.
• Modern design and technology complying with current regulations.

A new facility could be combined with another community or sports building, as has been done in Nelson/Tasman where the new rifle range was attached to the indoor cricket facility at Saxton field. This 18-mound range is one of the best in the country, and is frequently used for major events.