A gun club that came under fire from neighbours angry about excessive noise is hoping to mend fences and reopen its Olds-area range.
Mountain View Marksman Association took a step towards reviving the club’s fortunes earlier this month when the executive was returned to local leadership after the Calgary president and other executives from the city resigned.
The club’s new president, Bob Worsfold, of Olds, said the main task ahead is to try to get the range reopened. It was closed by the club’s executive in May after Mountain View County passed a noise bylaw to regulate gun ranges and give enforcement officers the authority to levy fines for noise infractions. Penalties for breaking the bylaw range from $200 to $10,000 and up to one year in jail.
Worsfold said the gun range is currently zoned agricultural land and the county wants that changed before it can reopen.
“After that we’ve got to get a development permit and hopefully get it going again. But that’s going to depend on whether we can satisfy the neighbours with the minimum noise,” he said.
County residents told the county that the racket from the gun club became an issue when the original club of a few dozen regular members, which was started in 1983, gave way to the Marksman Association, which grew to more than 1,000 members, many from the Calgary area. Almost every weekend shooting competitions were held, which greatly increased noise from the gun range just west of Olds.
Worsfold said the association had already voted before he became president to drop regular shooting competitions and reduce hours to address residents’ concerns.
Under the county bylaw, a special permit must be approved before a competition can take place.
The association has about 1,100 members. But many are members just so they can meet gun regulations to own a weapon and don’t use the range, he said.
Worsfold said he doesn’t know how many members intend to stay with the club. Refunds are available for those who want them.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com