Friday, November 9, 2001
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Friday, November 9, 2001 |
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Wolf Creek falls silent By JOHN
THOMPSON Residents wanting to hone their shooting skills at a former Olympic venue in South Fulton County found the gates locked Tuesday. The Wolf Creek shooting range was shut down by Fulton County officials this week because of concerns over the cost of maintaining the facility. But during Wednesday's Fulton County Commission meeting, several citizens denounced the county's action. Tony Yetman told the commission they were in direct violation of a contract that was signed four years ago that pledged to keep the center open for five years in return for accepting a $300,000 grant to help defray costs at the facility. He failed to understand how the county could shut down a facility that generated a big economic boon to the area. "It's been estimated the economic impact of the shooting range to the area is $9 million," he said. If the county is in violation of the contract, it would cost the county $300,000 for the grant and 12 percent interest added, Yetman said. He said the facility hosts sport shooting events for groups from all around the country, because there is not another public facility like Wolf Creek. The Georgia High School Association had planned to conduct its 2002 rifle championship at the site, but now that's up in the air. Woodward Academy also trains its team at Wolf Creek, and Yetman said Woodward officials had to scramble this week to get thousands of guns out of the facility before it was locked shut. But not all residents were upset the range was shut down. Judy Hill, who lives near the facility, said it has had nothing but a negative impact on her quality of life. "The shooting goes on several times a week and it's been an intrusion on our community," she said. The commissioners declined to comment on the issue.
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