The range location is near zip 47581. I plan on having matches next year. Start with a couple of fun matches to make sure everything is working fine and then on to short range group/score matches at 100 & 200yds. I would like to be able to hold 600yd matches either the fall of 2011 or spring of 2012. These will be NBRSA matches. I skipped the Nationals this year because the dozer showed up a couple of weeks late, oh well, I needed to be there to give guidance.
The biggest issue to overcome is power but I plan on building a house that overlooks the range within the next couple of years and will have power then for sure but right now, it's generators (which I already have), a power line is estimated a 12000. I will be building shower and bathrooms this fall or next spring. Along with a loading area. One thing I was considering, was building some huts or bringing in a couple of construction trailers to set up as sleeping/loading areas but have to see how funds go after the range and necessaties are done.
Drainage issues is the main reason for so much dirt being moved. The construction company that is doing the job is owned by a friend of mine. He's quite knowledgable in the area. The first approach is a very slight taper to run the water flow from the hills to the ditch. Some slight swags will be added to help to control the flow. If this doesn't work, I will have a terrace built the length of the 100-200 yd line and tile it to the ditch. I hope it doesn't come to that and the guy doing the work don't think it will either. That would be another 2000.00 expense at his current "friend" rate.
My friend brought his brand new (only second job it's used on) D6R High/Wide track dozer to do the work. Man that thing is nicer than a cadillac. Air Conditioned, Stereo, GPS, etc. It's even got air ride heated seat.
Access will be all highway until the driveway, which will be about a mile long.
I'll post some more photos as the work is done, that is if anyone is interested.
Hovis
