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Caribou Field Archers propose indoor archery range on city land; council receptive
Summary
The Caribou Field Archers presented a preliminary plan to build a membership-access indoor archery range on city-owned land near the Silver Springs Shooting Complex; the club sought the council's support to proceed with site development and grant pursuit.
Representatives of the Caribou Field Archers presented a preliminary proposal to the Soda Springs City Council to build an indoor archery range on city-owned land adjacent to the Silver Springs Shooting Complex.
"We're proposing... on city property," David Vetter, president of the Caribou Field Archers, said as he introduced the club’s intent to build a facility for public membership use, youth programming and hunter-education classes. Vetter said the club is a nonprofit and would operate membership access to offset maintenance, insurance and utility costs.
Daniel Larson, who helped found the club’s youth program, said the group hopes to build a facility with a classroom and lanes that could be used for school programs, 4‑H and public events. He told the council the project’s preliminary costs fall between $300,000 and $650,000 but that the group is targeting to remain under $500,000 and wants to pursue grants, industry sponsorships and local contractor support.
The presenters said a desirable building could be about 220 feet by 50 feet (sufficient for 50–60 yard lanes) with a large classroom for hunter-education and related youth programming. They proposed a membership-badge access model similar to local gym membership programs; typical public events and league nights would remain open to nonmembers.
Council members encouraged the group to coordinate with city recreation staff. One council member said, "Nikki Hansen, please talk to her," directing the group to the recreation director; earlier staff had said coordination could be done with Justin Hanson (rec department) or with city staff. Council members also noted that a future rec center, pickleball courts or other indoor recreation priorities exist and suggested the archery group explore opportunities to integrate or collaborate on shared facilities.
No formal council vote or funding commitment was made at the meeting. Council members said they were "intrigued" and urged the club to develop a formal proposal, funding plan and site schematic for future council consideration.
The club requested city endorsement to proceed with site development and grant applications; the council’s direction was to coordinate further with staff and return with a refined plan and any required lease or permitting steps.
