Maple Grove Pushes to Expand Gun Range
On the wish list for bonding money from the state is $4 million dollars to expand a gun range and training facility in Maple Grove.
The city of Maple Grove operates the North Metro Range and Training facility which has a 12-lane gun range and training rooms. Nearly 20 different groups use the facility regularly for training purposes and the public can use it on Saturdays.
Because of the increased demand, there are scheduling conflicts and sometimes two agencies have to use the same space. Managers say they get creative with the space they have to fit in all activities.
The city would like to expand the facility by adding eight more shooting lanes and more training rooms. The addition could be built onto the existing facility. Initial costs are expected to be around $8 million dollars with $4 million of that requested from the state.
“I think it’s a good example of how local government has said let’s share services,” says Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner. “It is expensive for all agencies to build their own facility so why not form a partnership?”
The nearest comparable facility is the South Metro Public Safety Training facility located in Edina.
