First shots fired at new shooting range

• Smallbore rifle range opens at Whiteman Park International Shooting Complex

• $2.5 million new facility will help develop specialist skills for Olympic hopefuls 

Smallbore rifle shooting in Western Australia has a new home.

The West Australian Smallbore Rifle Association Inc. (WASRA) has officially opened its new $2.5 million facility at the Whiteman Park International Shooting Complex.

The new complex was completed with a State Government grant for $2.5 million through the Department of Sport and Recreation's State Sporting Infrastructure Fund.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said smallbore rifle was an Olympic and Paralympic sport and the dedicated facility would help develop specialist skills.

"Last year, the association had four athletes in the national squad and an athlete won a national title, so I am sure these athletes are excited to have a facility to train at," Ms Davies said.

"Anton Zapelli, an athlete with disability who has been on the road to Rio for the last year, has been training at home because other facilities haven't been suitable. This new facility will give him an international-standard training facility in the lead up to Rio."

The association administers the sport of smallbore rifle shooting in WA and was previously located at Harrison Range, adjacent to Swanbourne's Campbell Barracks, for 44 years.  Development at the barracks meant the association had to relocate in January 2013, so members have been scattered around the metropolitan area.

The facility includes a 90 metre outdoor rifle range, 20m indoor rifle range, social area, small kitchen/tea preparation area and office.

Construction on the facility started in April 2015 and was completed late in 2015.

Fact File

• Mills and Hassall were appointed by WASRA to design and build the new rifle range

• WASRA will enter a sub-lease agreement with the WA Shooting Association Inc., which currently manage the Whiteman Park International Shooting Complex 

Minister's office - 6552 5500