The City of Jonesboro and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are looking at a partnership to build a multi-million dollar shooting sports complex in Jonesboro. The complex would cost anywhere between seven million and 12 million dollars and a groundbreaking could take place sometime next year. Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliot was at an open house forum last night where the public got to view plans about the center. Elliot tells KASU news what the new complex will have in it.
"It will have nine trap ranges and it will have three skeet overlay, 200-yard rifle range, a 50-yard pistol range, archery, and it will have a small lake for fishing."
Program Coordinator for Range Development with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Grant Tomlin says this complex will have a positive impact for those who love the sport, as well as for northeast Arkansas' economy.
"This is a huge sport and it will bring in a lot of money to the region and the state by way of economic development. This will be an attraction to those in northeast Arkansas, western Tennessee, and southeast Missouri."
Environmental studies will be complete on the project in the next couple of months. After that, the city of Jonesboro and the Game and Fish will enter into an agreement and construction of the complex will start.