What’s Coming Together at the Wyoming State Shooting Complex

At the Wyoming State Shooting Complex (WSSC), construction of the shooting arena is almost complete, fundraising is well underway, and it’s time to take a closer look at some of the details that are coming together.

The CEO and others continue to travel to glean ideas while networking at other shooting complexes. Additionally, the first official event has been scheduled for September 2027 – the NRL Hunter Grand Slam, a precision long-range shooting competition expected to bring 200 to 250 participants.

Range Development

The 28 action shooting bays covering seven acres are nearly complete, with more expansion to follow. The dirt used there must screen out all rock 1.5″ in diameter or larger on the berm faces to meet safety requirements. Watch the video of the blasting of the action shooting area here.

All pit run and gravel comes from the HooDoo gravel pit nearby. This followed a public bidding process in which a contractor was awarded the contract to crush all the gravel needed to finish the roads, parking areas, and shooting venues. The crushing should take place this fall.

Work has begun to construct the road to the far northwest corner of the complex to access the long-range precision (LRP) shooting venue. The challenges in crossing Sulphur Creek have not been small. The steep grade, adding a culvert at Sulphur Creek, and determining the width of the road the terrain will allow, including parking and a turnaround area, were daunting but have been accomplished. This road will be finished by winter. While some have speculated this road may extend further than the shooting complex, that is not the case. The plans for this spur road have been included in publicly shared plans since early in the project.

Event Center

Last year, a public bidding process for the general contractor (GC) for the event center was held. The GC will take the subcontracted parts of the project out to bid once the final design and cost estimates have been approved.

We’ve been working closely with the architect and contractor, and the inside of the event center is coming together far enough to share the renderings. While there are still decisions to be made regarding the materials and details of the plans, these photos give you a better idea of the direction this is taking.

Entering the lobby of the clubhouse, you’ll find places to relax and visit as well as the check-in desk. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will operate a retail space in the building, where it will sell historic American military firearms. This will be the first store of its kind in the western U.S. and is anticipated to be a major draw for the complex and the community. The only firearms that will be for sale here are available exclusively at designated CMP ranges.

The event center is designed to be multipurpose and will serve not only for gatherings but also for indoor archery and air-gun shoots. The commercial kitchen is designed for catering use rather than as a restaurant. The event center will hold roughly 700 people and will be available to be used for a variety of events. We see this as a benefit to the community, giving much-needed event space.

Keeping the Community in Mind

While the WSSC needs to provide some basic services for event attendees, the project’s development keeps community integration in mind. For instance, while limited camping on-site will be allowed, visitors will be encouraged to stay at the full-service RV campgrounds in town. Additionally, while the clubhouse will sell some range essentials and branded merchandise, visitors will still need to shop at local retailers for their shooting equipment. The intent is to encourage the numerous shooters that will attend events held at the WSSC to enjoy all the attractions and amenities that Cody and the surrounding area have to offer.

For the kitchen, the goal is to provide the perfect setup for local caterers rather than a full-service restaurant. The architect has designed many commercial kitchens in the past and has taken our requirements into account to fit within the available square footage. The design committee has reached out to local caterers to gather their practical insights and recommendations. Many thanks to Lynn Lampe at Geysers on the Terrace, Jake at Sitti’s Table, the BBCW kitchen, and Blair Hotels for their time and insights.

Connecting with the Community

We are collaborating closely with the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This link will ensure that shooters attending events at the WSSC are aware of the wide range of activities available to them during their visit which will encourage them to bring their families and extend their stay beyond the event that drew them to Cody.

The board is also exploring ways local businesses can have a presence in the facility, including rack cards and other advertising. Lists of businesses who provide event services will be shared with event organizers. Collaborating with the community will be essential in making this truly a world-class facility.

We Invite You to Follow Along

While we will continue to share our progress, we also invite you to attend our public board meetings. They are listed on our calendar.

[Community Contributor]

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