Kalispell Police asking to partner for shooting range

Kalispell Police Department aims to team up with Northwest Shooter to build a tactical live fire range and shooting simulator that would be available as a public safety training facility.

City Council considers the request at its meeting tonight.

The police department applied for a $5.5 million federal grant in 2009 hoping to build a law enforcement training facility with driving and shooting simulators and a live fire range.

The department got a $750,000 technology grant. At that point it decided to look for a private party willing to let the city outfit a building with the purchased equipment.

Northwest Shooter, owned by Bob Hughes, was the only one to apply in a request for proposals the city issued this summer, and was selected as a suitable partner.

The commercial shooting range opened in 2011. Located two miles north of Glacier Park International Airport, it has a 25-yard pistol shooting range, sells shooting supplies and handguns and offers firearm and personal safety instruction.

The range agreed to supply land and build a 50-yard tactical live firing range capable of handling both pistol and rifle shooting. The range will have an overhead garage door access to make vehicle training possible and allow 24-hour access for law enforcement. It also agreed to provide space in its existing building for the shooting simulator.

“This range built with grant funding will be available for public use, as is the existing range, and will provide a benefit to Northwest Shooter as well as public safety,” Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset said in a memo to the City Council.

IN OTHER business, Kalispell City Council:

• Holds the second and final reading of an ordinance to expand the West Side Tax Increment Financing District. The first reading passed 8-1. If approved, the district would grow to include 364 acres that are the focus of the Kalispell Core Area Revitalization Plan.

• Considers accepting terms offered by Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for Kalispell and Kidsports to purchase a permanent easement for their youth athletic complex, developed on school trust land along U.S. 93.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It is open to the public.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.