Recently there was a newsletter posted from a fellow USI club that had some interesting information in it. We have fielded a LARGE number of emails inquiring about some of this information and repeatedly have had to tell our members that almost ALL of it is either FALSE or misleading.
I’ll step thru the inaccurate information that was posted below.
OK First off… The range plans ARE NOT making their way to the county. The plans are currently only out for bidding to the General Contractors. It is also completely untrue that things aren’t being disclosed in regards for “our” plans with the range. Not sure what that even means. There is no secret agenda for the public ranges or any range for that matter.
The Action Pistol Range?? LOL again there is NO accuracy to these statements. Its not “our” Action Pistol range for starters its United Sportsmen’s and they have an obligation to operate ALL ranges in a equal manner. The top parking area is for parking on the PUBLIC rifle and pistol range as we are adding MANY new shooting positions to the pistol side. Anyone whos been to the range on a weekend knows there is little parking when the public range is in full operation and with the closing of Chabot we WILL be busier. I can guarantee you NO ONE from AP will want to cart their stuff from up where that parking is proposed to the AP range when there is MORE THAN ENOUGH parking in the existing corp yard and tenant area. Besides… There is no real AP activity yet why would we need parking?
Last time I checked, USI wasnt a for profit business, USI is there for the MEMBER CLUBS to utilize… that mean ALL Ranges. Not just the ones some people favor. Shotgun activities do not make enough to keep the range open at all… with that logic should we shut them down also? No. They are a shooting sport and should be supported just as equally as any other sport on the facility grounds. The public ranges made USI all their money thats how the range always operated.
Seriously?? Yes we need to move the septic tank so that it doesnt get covered with a cement slab that will be the new rifle range floor?? This isnt a conspiracy, you have to have access to the septic system. Hopefully when the lead reclamation machine that was there earlier didnt crush the leach lines as heavy equipment drove back and forth over those lines. Another untruth is bringing in dirt… we aren’t. Its that simple. The last ADA ramps were fine as we were’nt under any real ADA code requirements. But with a new range comes new code requirements and nothing that was there before would be adequate to satisfy ADA inspection.
The 17 million is a response to a question thats just a trap… Bottom line. NO ONE knows how much the range will cost to build till these General Contractor bids are back and even then there are cost overruns, delays and a multitude of other things that can go wrong that could impact the project cost. Asking for a dollar amount is a simply something that cant be promised (and they know this) so why answer?? If someone were to give an amount and for whatever reason it came in over, they would be screaming and shouting… “But you said it was gonna cost…”
Peter (President of Baypoint) doesnt have the power to keep anyone out. If the President of WC wants to be included he simply needs to be part of the solution and offer help. Sitting on the sidelines. printing untruths in his newsletter does nothing. As for the range shack tripping in size?? HUH?? Again here we go with exaggeration. The planned building is 60’x24′ So I guess that means the last building was only a 20’x8′ closet?? No, It wasn’t. Yes, The range shack will be larger to accommodate the public and members better and to allow for people to get out of the elements a bit.
We (Design Committee) want a larger range shack because AP want to take over the lower property?? WTF seriously? The tinfoil thinking here is astounding. Yes there was a desire to develop that property years ago… But its purpose was for a more dedicated RENTAL AREA for LEO and Military usage this way USI could make money without impacting member clubs at AP. AP has NO desire to utilize that space now or in the future as the same problem presents itself with covering the area for tactical shooting. Thanks but no thanks… AP doesnt want, nor need it. There is that parking area again?? LOL. NO I dont know of ANY person that would shoot in the AP area that would park there and haul their gear all that way when there is parking closer.
Its clear to me that there seems to be some sort of animosity towards AP, the range there and the people that shoot and participate in the sport. I dont get why. We are all shooters and everyone should be treated equally and fairly on USIs grounds. No ones shooting sport is better than the other.
In closing if ANY member of ANY club has questions PLEASE go to the USI meetings and ASK QUESTIONS. You will get answers there to your questions and since all of the board members are there everyone should know this information so its kind of surprising that this kind of inaccurate information is floating around. As a member of ANY club… go to your member meeting and ask questions… demand answers.
Feel free to come to the Diablo Meetings the 1st Thursday of the month where you will hear a range update report every month. There is a open question and answer period for our members to engage with club leadership… You wont be rushed with a 5 minute (or less) members meeting, I can promise you that.
