CLUB HISTORY
The early history has been compiled from bits and pieces, from conversations with old
members, old newsletters and retained files. The photo history thumbs exhibited on the left side of this page can
be clicked to see a large photo in its own window. |
1990's
President: 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999-Vic Alvarez
The club installed a fax machine and put the club records on a new computer.
Regular monthly Benchrest matches were started and annual club championships established.
Eliminated "hand" traps at shotgun after a accident and a personal injury claim.
Faced with the need for a great deal of funds to cover the long list of projects, the dues were doubled, the public
fees were increased, and the Board assumed tighter control of the business operations. We decided to recognize
the fact that we had a large commercial operation which needed rational and coordinated management that the separate
committees could not provide. Also instituted at this time was a stronger set of financial and funds controls.
With the increased controls, the Board was able to insure that all the public areas were generating a profit and
that the member dues were covering the general expenses, thus providing the club with the operating capital needed
for the projects. We also started vigorously advertising and promoting membership in the club. The stated goal
was 1500 members by 1995.
Obtained the services of the last Olympic Archery coach of the USSR to help with our youth group and training techniques.
Started up a youth smallbore rifle program.
With an eye toward the future, the Board began upgrading the shotgun facility, even though the operation had always
operated at a loss. We began an ongoing trap machine purchasing plan which brought in new automatic Beomat machines
to replace our old Remingtons and Winchesters. Because of the investments we made in our shotgun facility, we were
able to readily assume the increased business caused by the unfortunate closing of the Paine Field Trap and Skeet
and the Seattle Skeet and Trap clubs, both of which lost their leases.
With the increased activity and interest at shotgun, the development of a first rate 5-stand was approved, the
center piece being a 65 foot duck tower. A great deal of work was also done improving and expanding the parking
lots to handle the increased business, along with bring in sealand containers for more storage of birds and supplies.
The club financials were transferred to a club computer and we started using computer generated checks.
The next major project was a remodel of the Chalet building and the Range Office. We obtained additional funds
for these projects from a matching funds grant of $50,000 from the State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.
Both areas were completely transformed and began our move toward true handicap accessibility and a more professional
appearance. We added CCTV at this time to increase the rangemaster's level of control.
Began a collegiate small bore program, supporting the UW Navy ROTC rifle and pistol teams.
Instituted "Special Use" permission procedures for unsupervised member range use.
The new club face and improved facilities along with the advertising effort brought in new members by the droves,
and by the mid 90's we had close to the 1500 member goal.
About this time we offered Life Memberships for the first time as a way to generate additional funds and we obtained
a couple more State matching grants totaling about $80,000. The new capital was used to completely remodel the
pistol range, to complete the Chalet remodel, and to add an extensive handicap ramp system tying all the ranges
together. Included in these projects was a new meeting room at pistol, an administration office at the Chalet and
four ADA restrooms, along with septic systems, new electrical services, new and improved parking areas and access
roads.
Additionally during the mid 90's we started to focus on the issues of sound control and added many improvements
to reduce our impact on the neighborhood. Sound control walls behind all the ranges, acoustic tile and tectum was
extensively used to absorb sound on the ranges. All new structures were designed in such a way as to intercede
between the sound and the neighborhood. We also door-belled the neighborhood to find out what the neighbors thought
of our operation...and we were pleasantly surprised with the results. Talked to 400+ neighbors and only found one
who had a strong opinion against our activities.
In 1998 the county started its negotiations for widening 228th. The process has been a real boon to the club. The
club negotiation team of Vic Alvarez and Carl Brattain, with advice from our legal eagle, Joe Fischnaller, kept
the club's interests as paramount. The club received a good chunk of change for the bit of frontage the county
needed and more for the relocation of the fence line and front gate. More money and benefits were obtained from
PUD so they could relocate their power poles. Concessions from the water district resulted in two new fire hydrants
at the front of our property and a new 1 inch water service at the front gate. Additionally we were able to tap
into the sewer line for the new caretaker residence and we gained access to natural gas service. All things we
have wanted in the past, but were either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Using the poles donated by the PUD we replaced the original lighting at shotgun with new high output units and
added more to boot, including lighting the 5-stand. Of course, the PUD requested a new larger electrical service
be installed after the third transformer blew.
Additional negotiations by the county and its contractor for permission to do some flood control work on the southeast
corner of our property resulted in a new berm and maintenance road along the front of the property, permission
to reuse the fence material we sold them, preparing the area for our new caretaker residence, and a bit of work
out at shotgun.
Monthly highpower prone rifle matches were begun as a winter substitute for the DCM matches.
Began holding regular 2700 Bullseye pistol matches again.
We put up our first web site in 1998. Registered a URL name in 1999 and a second name in 2000.
The annual budget passed the $500,000 mark.
We received the NRA Most Improved Club Award for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
We received the NRA President's Award (for Club excellence) for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
and 2000. |
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