What will become of SLOSA?

[32383]

My above post was mis-informed however I have learned that now DFW is definitely soliciting operators for the range.
Things are moving in the right direction. Now if only a qualified contractor emerges...
Here is the deal:

California eProcurement Portal

 

[Warpspeed]

Looks like there is a mandatory bidders meeting on 9/9. Those are always fun.

 

[32383]

Looks like there is a mandatory bidders meeting on 9/9. Those are always fun.

Yes, and if you miss it, it decreases your chances of winning the contract. There is quite a list of requirements a potential contractor needs to fulfill. I sure hope a qualified one applies.

 

[Warpspeed]

Yes, and if you miss it, it decreases your chances of winning the contract. There is quite a list of requirements a potential contractor needs to fulfill. I sure hope a qualified one applies.

I was thinking back to my days when I used to bid public jobs and that was always a requirement. You got to see who you were bidding against. I recall one time when we just walked away because we knew one of the bidders was gonna low bid the out of it and it would be a complete waste of everyone’s time to put the proposal together.

Good times. Don’t miss them at all.

 

[W.H.O.]

The requirements are essentially asking for someone who already maintains/oversees a similar operation to take this one on as well.

 

[32383]

That would certainly be an advantage.

 

[ocabj]

This kind of sounds like my old range from the 2000s which was Inland Fish and Game. It was small range in the grand scheme of things, but offered a lot for a low price with rifle and pistol shooting out to 200 meters, shot gun range (trap, skeet, clays), and a clubhouse with a kitchen, as well as bathrooms with actual plumbing.

The board did a poor job managing the logistics of the range, specifically with regards to shotgun lead cleanup because it was raining down onto the adjacent property which was an apartment complex. Lack of properly addressing the issue and a lawsuit loss resulted in the range going defunct.

The sad part of those whole affair is that the apartment complex in question is no longer there and is now leveled and an empty lot. The range property (which I understand to be BLM land) is unoccupied. There has been zero development in the other adjacent properties because the land is kind of this quarry where nothing can be developed on. Thus, if the board had done a better job being neighborly and taking accountability of the cleanup, the range would likely still be there.

It would be a very hard sell to get a range back up and running on that property given the community would likely protest it. But I figure a smallbore range would be feasible and an easier sell.

 

[32383]

Wow that is a sad story. Where was that?
This range, formally the San Luis Obispo Wildlife Area, (SLOWA) is on DFW land and is their asset.
SLOSA was the contractor/operator for many years and had built a very nice range with many improvements. It grew very big and diverse with many moving parts. They hired a paid manager some years ago but business was not being taken care of and here we are.

 

[ocabj]

Wow that is a sad story. Where was that?
This range, formally the San Luis Obispo Wildlife Area, (SLOWA) is on DFW land and is their asset.
SLOSA was the contractor/operator for many years and had built a very nice range with many improvements. It grew very big and diverse with many moving parts. They hired a paid manager some years ago but business was not being taken care of and here we are.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[32383]

Redlands?

 

[ocabj]

Redlands?

I guess technically Highland.

 

[Warpspeed]

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I drive by that all the time going to Redlands Shooting Park. The closure was very sad indeed.

 

[W.H.O.]

This kind of sounds like my old range from the 2000s which was Inland Fish and Game. It was small range in the grand scheme of things, but offered a lot for a low price with rifle and pistol shooting out to 200 meters, shot gun range (trap, skeet, clays), and a clubhouse with a kitchen, as well as bathrooms with actual plumbing.

The board did a poor job managing the logistics of the range, specifically with regards to shotgun lead cleanup because it was raining down onto the adjacent property which was an apartment complex. Lack of properly addressing the issue and a lawsuit loss resulted in the range going defunct.

The sad part of those whole affair is that the apartment complex in question is no longer there and is now leveled and an empty lot. The range property (which I understand to be BLM land) is unoccupied. There has been zero development in the other adjacent properties because the land is kind of this quarry where nothing can be developed on. Thus, if the board had done a better job being neighborly and taking accountability of the cleanup, the range would likely still be there.

It would be a very hard sell to get a range back up and running on that property given the community would likely protest it. But I figure a smallbore range would be feasible and an easier sell.

I can definitely see where that would be an issue... however this range is situated on a very large amount of land next to essentially nothing. The standard range goes out to 700yd and there's a long range club on the property with a plot that touches out to I believe 1400 or 1600 yards.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/T2u98wSw33MM6fVP6

 

[W.H.O.]

 

[broadside]

They are currently running under CCPS for USPSA matches. You can find them in Practiscore

 

[32383]

They are currently running under CCPS for USPSA matches. You can find them in Practiscore

I don't quite understand how they are still able to use the range. Maybe they have a separate agreement with DFW?

 

[AR15barrels]

This kind of sounds like my old range from the 2000s which was Inland Fish and Game. It was small range in the grand scheme of things, but offered a lot for a low price with rifle and pistol shooting out to 200 meters, shot gun range (trap, skeet, clays), and a clubhouse with a kitchen, as well as bathrooms with actual plumbing.

The board did a poor job managing the logistics of the range, specifically with regards to shotgun lead cleanup because it was raining down onto the adjacent property which was an apartment complex. Lack of properly addressing the issue and a lawsuit loss resulted in the range going defunct.

The sad part of those whole affair is that the apartment complex in question is no longer there and is now leveled and an empty lot. The range property (which I understand to be BLM land) is unoccupied. There has been zero development in the other adjacent properties because the land is kind of this quarry where nothing can be developed on. Thus, if the board had done a better job being neighborly and taking accountability of the cleanup, the range would likely still be there.

It would be a very hard sell to get a range back up and running on that property given the community would likely protest it. But I figure a smallbore range would be feasible and an easier sell.

I used to shoot skeet and silhouette at Inland F&G in the late 90's.

 

[broadside]

I don't quite understand how they are still able to use the range. Maybe they have a separate agreement with DFW?

That is what I heard. A separate agreement only for USPSA like matches on that one part of the facility.

 

[32383]

Well it appears that there is at least one party interested in assuming management of the range. I received this email recently and will share it here. I wish them good luck!

​

​ Save The Range​

​

​ Hello, I hope this email finds you well. As many of you already know, the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the San Luis Obispo Wildlife Area Shooting Range has been released. This past Tuesday, there was a mandatory walkthrough for those interested in submitting a proposal. We would like to introduce our group, San Luis Obispo Firearms and Safety Training. SLOFAST is a California Public Benefit 501(c)(3) Non-Profit which was formed solely to bid for the CDFW Contract to Operate and Maintain the range. The board currently consists of: Lou Salseda - President Robert Brennan - Treasurer Lorin Wingfield - Secretary We’re looking to add an Executive Director to oversee all range operations as well as RSO’s to operate the Rifle/Pistol, Archery, and Shotgun Ranges. If you or someone you know is qualified, please click the link below to apply: https://www.savetherange.com/apply We’re looking for people with prior experience operating and maintaining a shooting range in the past 10 years. Proposals are due October 6th, and much work and planning remain to prepare the bid. We need as much help as possible. Thank you, SLOFAST Board of Directors

 

[32383]

I heard from a CFW agent that about 30 people showed up for the walk through they just had for prospective operators.
But I don't know how many sperate entities that is. Fingers crossed.