IPSC Ontario elections
- Thread starter PapaHotel01
- Start date
Why do you guys think it has to be a non-profit organization like IPSC Ontario to start a huge project related to building and managing such special property and piece of land? Does any of you understand what will it take to build and run such property and the risks involved? I am asking because I've no idea.
BTW, few people commented here are aware of some smaller projects at couple local clubs, the cost involved in those and how they nearly tuned into disasters...
BTW, few people commented here are aware of some smaller projects at couple local clubs, the cost involved in those and how they nearly tuned into disasters...
This generates a discussion and for now it is good, maybe in the future IPSC ON or private entity will come with a real range. I am pretty sure properly build range can be profitable, especially within 100km from TO. Having about 5-6mln people in 100km radius will for sure help to cover costs and make profit pretty fast.
So, you making your assumptions based only on TO population without calculating or even guessing what cost will be involved in building and keeping running of such facility?
Same for me. I have no idea of the issues involved - but there are people in the community who have a lot of expertise and knowledge who could advise.
I personally think a private company would be a better idea, working together with IPSC Ontario in some way. Preferably the private company would be invested in more than just pure profits, but would have the wisdom to understand the goal of growing the sport and the number of handgun owners in Ontario.
We can't get around the fact that without more ranges and competitions, and easier to obtain training, the sport can't really grow significantly. If there is not even any discussion of how to address that, then what's the point in going on and on about how important it is to grow the sport, as most of the candidates for the BOD have indicated.
What happened? Information is good.
I believe that promoting and convincing existing ranges in the province to jump through the necessary hoops to build areas capable of handling IPSC matches must be done 1st. I would love an IPSC dedicated range an hr outside of Toronto. But what about shooters in Kingston, Ottawa, & Sault St-Marie? Also, I would be happier with an all round range being built. Not just an IPSC only range.
Think about how many GTA ranges that have the room to expand but don't offer IPSC & really should. IPSC Ontario needs to reach out to gun orgs like the CSSA & the NFA for support in growing the sport. As well as the OFAH. I mention the OFAH because IPSC can be a great sport for hunters to get into off season. This is an opportunity to cross promote hunting to IPSC shooters. As hunting is also shrinking in numbers.
Think about how many GTA ranges that have the room to expand but don't offer IPSC & really should. IPSC Ontario needs to reach out to gun orgs like the CSSA & the NFA for support in growing the sport. As well as the OFAH. I mention the OFAH because IPSC can be a great sport for hunters to get into off season. This is an opportunity to cross promote hunting to IPSC shooters. As hunting is also shrinking in numbers.
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I think that most people making suggestions don't really know the costs, time, planning, and everything else involved in such an undertaking. I would believe that the only way to successfully do this would be through a partnership with a commercial developer that is familiar with these type of projects and that would have an interest in putting something together and managing the property with insight from IPSC ON. I am used to seeing organizations take on these huge projects only to bankrupt themselves.
Where are these GTA ranges with room to expand?
Agree - this must be a very complex thing and someone with experience in operating a shooting sports centre would be the ideal candidate.
But who has bankrupted themselves doing the same kind of project in the past? Can we learn from their mistakes?
At the moment we have a pretty good relationship with CSSA. I have been working with them on the Sportsman show booth as it is CSSA who has supplied us the booth space and enabled us to be there. They have been very supportive and helpful with this. Getting together with the OFAH is a good idea, and I'll try to make that happen as well, the Sportsmans show is a great place to connect with these groups. I have also been working for a few years now with the ORA CQB matches and cross pollinating with them. I think it's important to make and keep these connections as it expands our reach and support beyond our own membership.
Orono, & Oshawa, Toronto trap & Skeet is 100 acres. There are also opportunties that can be explored to create multi uses in exsiting spaces. Changing the mindset of some of the GTA's ranges is also key. I think it is about will and motivation as well.
A simple thing that could go a long way is to write some articles for newsletters like the CSSA, OFAH or even outdoors Canada. If you want to raise te profile of IPSC this would be a good start. There is almost never mention, or very little, of IPSC in the CSSA newsletter and I know all or would take is for someone to write one and submit it. Get it printed in a newsletter that goes to clubs and members that aren't already IPSC affiliated and generate some interest.
There are many ranges that could be used for ipsc, but you can't drag anyone into the game that isn't really interested.
All the talk about expanding and growing the game will likely remain just that... Talk.
In the end 99% of the work needed to be done in any of the shooting sports is done by 1% of the people involved.
Most of us think just showing up for a match is enough support.
My recollection is that Orono had issues with sound bylaws and hostile neighbours. They actually had to reduce their shooting hours.
Having been there a good number of times, I can't imagine any scenario whereby TITS, a pure clays club that even bans scary looking shotguns from being used for trap, would turn themselves upsidedown for handguns. It would have been an amazing location, though.
Can't say about Oshawa. I don't recall them very handgun friendly on my single trip out there when I was looking for a place to shoot. I think they reluctantly agreed to allow handguns a few years back. I may not be well informed, though.
Ideas are worth nothing unless executed. I bet you'll learn a lot if you try to take your great idea to the bank and ask for the money. The first thing you'll have to tell them is how much exactly you'll need...
If you are in such good relationship with CSSA, why haven't you wrote those articles yet?
Orono has made modifications to to address its noise issues, and continues to do so. Also, the RCMP are no longer shooting there anymore. Which was the main source of the noise complaints. TITS (God I love that abbreviation!) and Oshawa are in need of an IPSC CSSA publicity campagne. Oshawa does allow handguns. I agree that we can't force local ranges to embrace IPSC. But we can educate & try to influence them. Maybe invite range executives of clubs that aren't IPSC friendly out to matches as well as maybe free black badge courses.
