It seems the Texas Shooting Sports Complex, which would have brought a nice big shooting sports complex to Hays County (south and west of Austin), isn’t going to happen.

The Hayes County Parks and Open Space Advisory board reviewed and commented on 12 projects. Of those 12 projects, the TxSSC came in 12th place. Here’s the board comments:

Project #12.  Hays Co. SSTF, Tx Shooting Sports Center                                    Score:  50.1

• Primary purpose of facility is not a priority in the Master Plan
• Funding request is for land purchase only, and exceeds current remaining amount of bond funds available
• There are no matching funds for the land purchase
• Land acreage identified in proposal would only accommodate shooting sports center, and not the parkland/other elements discussed in application
• Road and other infrastructure development needed – significant additional cost
• Question revenue stream
• There is definitely a need for a shooting sports complex/range in Hays County, but this is not an appropriate use of the Park and Open Space Bond funds

So there you go.

From the brief comments it appears the group isn’t giving up, it just needs to fall back, regroup, and then try again. If the above are the case I think it’s reasonable for the center being turned down. Compared to other projects, this project impacts less of the community. Furthermore, it looks like making this project a reality will cost a lot more than just what’s in the proposal.

Here’s hoping something like this can go through eventually. Hopefully the group will take the comments to heart and work to find a solution that’s workable for all. Blue-skying a facility is nice, but maybe breaking it down into stages might be a way to get it there. Walk before you can run.

Good luck, y’all.