The building that housed Allsports Replay until the business closed a little more than a year ago appears likely to retain a sports focus.
The Central Alberta Archers Association plans to use the second floor of the 5237 54th Ave. building as its premises. On Monday, it obtained approval from Red Deer’s municipal planning commission for the site to be used as a commercial recreation facility.
In a letter to the city, Central Alberta Archers Association treasurer Mike Screen said the former Allsports Replay space would be cheaper than the bay the association currently leases at 6816 50th Ave.
It’s also be much bigger, allowing the association to jump from 10 to 24 shooting lanes, with three quarters of these twice the length of its longest lanes currently available.
Screen said the association has about 90 adult members, as well as a thriving junior archery program for youths seven to 17.
He said it attracts 5,000 to 6,000 young visitors a year, with these including members of school phys-ed classes and youth groups.
With the new facilities, said Screen, it’s possible that Red Deer could become the permanent host of the annual Alberta Target Archers Association provincial target competition.
The commission heard that the building, which dates back to the late 1950s, was also used as a warehouse, industrial rental facility and motorcycle repair shop before Allsports Replay — which bought and sold new and used sporting goods — moved in.
The property is located within the area covered by Red Deer’s Greater Downtown Action Plan, which seeks to promote mixed use development with an emphasis on residential.
The commission’s approval of the Central Alberta Archers Association’s plans is conditional upon the use being reviewed in three years to assess the adequacy of parking and impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.