Construction continues on what is expected to be the most important shooting range in western South Dakota.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks' Shooting Sports Complex, a 400-acre facility north of Rapid City, offers hunters, recreational shooters and law enforcement officers a large and modern shooting environment.

According to officials, the complex will provide a secure, designated facility for all shooting sports enthusiasts to promote competitive and recreational shooting, support R3 efforts, and offer hunting, shooting and firearm safety courses. R3 efforts refer to initiatives aimed at “recruiting, retaining and reactivating” participants in shooting sports and other outdoor activities.

According to John Kanta, department head at GF&P and project manager of the complex, the aim is for it to become a meeting place for the shooting sports community.

“Access to a safe and controlled environment to practice shooting and safe firearm handling is key to recruiting the next generation of hunters while providing their mentors with a safe place to break down any potential barriers related to safety and comfort with firearms,” Kanta said.

The complex is expected to have a significant economic impact on the region. As of 2020, firearms account for 59.9% of all U.S. consumer sales, and a portion of all sales must be used for the Wildlife Restoration Program. Ammunition accounted for 33.9% of taxable sales, and archery products accounted for 6.2%. 22% of U.S. retail sales of firearms are used for hunting purposes, while the remaining 78% are for other purposes.

In Pennington County, the estimated annual increase in shooting sports spending is between $1,038,000 and $2,595,000. In Meade County, the additional spending is estimated at $503,570 per year. The average shooting sports participation rate statewide is 5.55% of the total population. The South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex aims to increase this percentage by recruiting and reactivating participants in Meade and Pennington counties and the surrounding areas.

Shooting sports participants typically spend between $100 and $250 per month on equipment, ammunition and firearms, which equates to $1,200 to $3,000 annually. Due to high demand and varying prices for shooting sports products, these figures are conservative estimates. Elevate Rapid City expects the new complex will add an additional $2.7 million in sales annually to local sporting goods stores, create 55 new jobs with $1.8 million in additional payroll costs and generate $376,000 in taxes.

“Currently, there is no facility in the region that offers what this complex offers. The closest comparable area is in Denver, an eight-hour drive away. This complex fills a significant gap for our community,” Kanta said.

The complex is divided into two areas, North and South, and offers space for a wide range of shooting disciplines.

Designed with safety and inclusivity in mind, the Shooting Sports Complex will provide opportunities for families, first-time gun owners, youth groups and competitive shooters, Kanta said. The facility will host educational programs, outreach initiatives and organized shooting competitions.

“We started construction in December and are currently ahead of schedule despite recent weather-related delays,” he said. “All earthworks are complete, roads are being built and hydroseeding is underway, taking advantage of recent rains.”

The expected completion date is October 2025.

“We are aiming for an earlier completion, possibly before the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally next year, which would be an excellent opportunity for advertising and hosting events,” Kanta said.

The northern part of the complex will provide a multi-purpose training hall for police training and archery competitions, while action halls will be provided for competitive shooting. The 1370 and 274 metre halls and an archery range will be open to the public free of charge. Controlled access areas will operate through a reservation system, possibly with a small membership fee.

According to Kanta, the position of range coordinator has generated a lot of interest, with over 90 applicants. The complex plans to hire the coordinator by August or September.

“This person will oversee the facility’s operations, marketing, scheduling and volunteer management, ensuring a smooth launch and continued success,” Kanta said.

The complex will also support local livestock grazing as part of its grassland management strategy.

“We will work with local ranchers to manage the pastures in a way that reduces fire risk and supports wildlife management,” he explained. “We want to be good neighbors and maintain traditional uses of the land.”

Fundraising efforts have been successful, raising $6 million through donations and pledges, Kanta said.

The complex will be named after major donors, including significant contributions from South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures and Scull Construction.

“We are not actively seeking new sponsors at this time, but are focused on finalizing existing commitments,” Kanta said. “The excitement is palpable, there is interest from North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and beyond. Many people are willing to volunteer and support the project.”

Game, Fish & Parks will manage the facility full-time, with support from seasonal and part-time staff. The complex is already coordinating with Visit Rapid City to plan for major competitions beginning in 2026.