All about Brooks Pistol & Smallbore Rifle Club

Facilities:

The club has continuously improved its facilities, often through the hard work of its members and with the aid of grants. Key developments include:

• Clubhouse: Originally an old granary, the club eventually contributed to the replacement of a primitive clubhouse with a more substantial facility around 1980, sharing it with a trap club initially.
• Shooting Stations/Bays: The club has multiple shooting bays. In 1989, significant construction led to the creation of 100-yard winged berms for smallbore and silhouette ranges, allowing for the hosting of major matches. Later, in 2005, four new pistol bays were constructed, and by 2011, semi-permanent shelters were added to four of the six shooting bays. These improvements demonstrate a commitment to providing comfortable and functional shooting environments.
• Backstops: The club has invested in substantial earthworks for backstops, ensuring safety for various shooting disciplines.

Ranges and Disciplines:

The Brooks Pistol & Smallbore Rifle Club caters to a variety of shooting disciplines, as indicated by its name and history:

• Pistol Ranges: With dedicated pistol bays, the club supports various pistol shooting disciplines. Historically, it has hosted NRA bullseye matches and ISU (International Shooting Union, now ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation) turning target matches, suggesting ranges suitable for competitive pistol shooting at different distances. They also host IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) events for fundraising.
• Smallbore Rifle Ranges: The 100-yard winged berms specifically constructed for smallbore and silhouette ranges highlight the club's focus on smallbore rifle shooting. This often involves .22 caliber rimfire rifles at various distances, typically up to 100 yards, and can include prone, benchrest, and silhouette shooting.
• Silhouette Ranges: The club has specific facilities for silhouette shooting, a discipline where shooters aim at animal-shaped metal targets at varying distances.
• Trap Shooting (Historically): While the pistol club took over the lease of the grounds, there was a historical connection with a trap club, indicating that trap shooting (a shotgun discipline involving clay targets) was once a part of the overall shooting complex. The trap club eventually moved to a separate location.

Services and Activities:

The Brooks Pistol & Smallbore Rifle Club actively engages in various services and activities for its members and the community:

• Competitive Shooting: The club regularly hosts competitive shooting events, including two weekend qualifiers a year. Noteworthy events include the "32 special," also known as the Ralph Turner Memorial, held in August. They have a history of hosting major competitions, including contributing to the Alberta Summer Games by hosting silhouette pistol shooting.
• Community Involvement: Members are encouraged to support and promote shooting sports and contribute positively to the community.
• Membership: The club operates as a private membership organization, with various membership options available, including single and family memberships for different durations.
• Safety and Instruction: While not explicitly detailed, as with all responsible gun clubs, safety is paramount, and it can be assumed that new members and participants receive instruction on safe firearm handling and range rules. Club members meet on Sundays for friendly competitive shooting, indicating a supportive environment.

The Brooks Pistol & Smallbore Rifle Club is a well-established and continuously evolving shooting facility in Alberta, providing a dedicated space for pistol and smallbore rifle enthusiasts to train, compete, and enjoy their sport.