Whittlesey Rifle Club –
Is keeping its sights firmly on the future despite a likely delay to the Manor Leisure Centre redevelopment.
The club understands that Fenland District Council remains committed to the redevelopment and to providing it with a new building, with ambitions for the new facility to help Whittlesey become a regional centre of excellence for shooting.
Changes to the wider leisure centre design mean the final funding decision is now expected later in the year, pushing the likely start of the project back.
That means the club is also still waiting to learn exactly when it may need to pause activities once work begins. Its current building, maintained by the members, is still serving the club well but the new one would give it room to aim much higher and provide better facilities for members, community groups and people who might otherwise find it difficult to take part in sport.
The uncertainty has not stopped the club looking forward or continuing to widen its role in the community.
July brought another reminder of just how far the sport can take you. Club president and Paralympic champion Matt Skelhon returned from the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Novi Sad, Serbia with two silver medals, continuing an extraordinary career at the highest level of the sport.
Just a couple of weeks later, youngsters from Phoenix Youth Provision visited the club to try target shooting for themselves. Under the guidance of experienced club volunteers, they quickly got the hang of it, with some excellent scores along the way and, perhaps, a champion or two of the future.
The club’s regular volunteer-run public taster evenings and open days at events such as the Big Bash also continue, giving anyone interested the chance to come in and try target shooting. Some parents now bring their children along, remembering being on the range themselves when they were youngsters.
Club chairman David Ransome said: “The club is looking forward to the opportunities a new building would bring but, in the meantime, we continue to focus on competition shooting and making the sport accessible to everyone.”
He added: “We are very inclusive and it’s great to see people of all ages and abilities competing together. Our open sessions are really popular and our member volunteers give up a lot of their time to make them possible.”
Alan Bessant – Club Development Officer – 0044(0)7545939542
Sent on behalf of Whittlesey Rifle Club
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