The History of Central Illinois Precision Shooting

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Central Illinois Precision Shooting

The idea of CIPS started in the early 1990's A friend

was the commander of the Illinois State University-ROTC

Unit and thought the ROTC team needed some direction to

improve their skills. He ssked if I could help. We started

shooting small bore rifles. The only range for junior

shooting was Sandy Ford Club in Streator, Ill. Ammunition

was from the Army and the transportation was the ROTC van.

We were in business. However, the hour drive to Streator

and the hour back plus the 90 minutes shooting soon became

an issue.

Jim Kinkade, the coach at Sandy Ford Club was a huge

help in getting our focus on air rifles. His help in moving

our focus to and acquiring air rifles was an important part

of the growth of the club idea. With our new direction, we

moved to our new future as an air rifle team.

With the help of the facility staff at the “now” CEFCU

Arena, we located some open storage areas that could be

used as an air rifle range. We developed and built

portable pellet traps and found the first home of the “Red

Bird Rifles. ROTC was still the main focus of the club,

but civilian students heard of the club and soon our

numbers began to grow. With this growth, Jim really started

to encourage us to build our own range in

Bloomington/Normal. Jim also was helpful in directing our

expanding numbers to reach out to new contacts at Regional

and National matches. Hosting matches on campus became a

new and successful program. Our first match was held in

Horton Fieldhouse. This positive growth kept Jim

encouraging us to seek a new and permanent home for the

international shooting sports.

In 2008 a group of interested individuals and coaches

began serious discussions of a ”real” range which became a

common goal. Supporting this was the early success of the

ROTC team at national matches and the club team at club

matches. By 2009, plans had been drawn for the new

facility and the process had begun. From the beginning

discussions Ron and Sue Darnall were totally behind the

efforts of our still small group. Many hours were put into

design changes and zoning issues. Our IRS 501c(3)

application was accepted, and fundraising efforts began.

Raising funds for a building with several new ideas in

construction and range equipment was a challenge.

However, grants and donations started to increase. Still not

enough to start construction. We were not going to start

construction until could enclose the building.

It looked more imposing than ever.

Then we were contacted by MidwayUSA Foundation.

Mr. & Mrs Potterfield's project to support junior shooting

programs across the USA. They had heard about our efforts,

and were very interested in suppporting our project.

Telephone contacts began leading to a visit by the head of

their Foundation. Spending time discussing the

Potterfield's ideas of junior shooting programs affect on

developing young American citizens, and our effort in the

same philosophy. With a strong showing of support from the

Darnalls and the positive attitude of the small group

individuals that were CIPS, MidwayUSA Foundation became the

main sponsor of the construction of the range as we know

it.

Clearing of the area for the building was started and

the first stakes were put in the ground. CFC blocks were

ordered, thousand of feet of rebar were ordered, heating

and plumbing were arranged. Construction started in the

Spring of 2012.

Much of the work was done by the original group and

volunteers who heard what we were doing and offered help

when needed. A group of 4-H kids and parents laid all of

the infloor heating lines. The group that dry walls for

Habitat homes drywalled all of the walls in one day. Folks

showed up just to help, and there was always a Darnall

around doing something to help. To be a part of the process

and watch a dream become reality was amazing.

We opened officially September, 2013.

Josie Peters Finigan took the official “First Shot” on the range.

So many helped, but here is the list of names that will

always be a part of Central Illinois Precision Shooting.

Bruce McIlvoy

Steve Blair

Doug Carney

Jim Johnson

All of the Darnall Family

Todd Thompson Family

Dave Randolph

I have no way to thank these individuals for all that

they have done to make this happen.

Joe Miller

Founder