Shooting range deal OK’d

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, June 13, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

The Boulder City Council approved Tuesday a preliminary contract that would build a regional public safety shooting range southwest of Railroad Pass in the Eldorado Valley.

Silver State Materials, which operates a gravel pit at the site, would pay a minimum of $8.9 million over 20 years to Boulder City for material it would excavate and sell on the market.

Silver State would also pay $1.25 million to complete the first phase of the range, including a law enforcement shooting range, a public safety driver training course and a public shooting range.

Silver State needs to make the investment to continue mining, because the land is designated for public use by the Boulder City charter.

Boulder City will invest from 300 to 1,000 acres in the venture.

"We are making our niche as the recreation area of Nevada," City Manager John Sullard said, noting that the shooting range will add to Boulder City's extensive mountain bike trails and several golf courses.

The law enforcement range could open as soon as June 2002, Sullard said. About 80 acres have already been carved out of the hillside.

Other Las Vegas Valley law enforcement agencies, as well as Clark County Parks and Recreation, have pledged financial support for the project as it develops. Many police departments have lost practice facilities as the Las Vegas Valley has grown.