BERNARDO: Ottawa to close critical South Okanagan shooting range

Tony Bernardo is the Executive Director of the Canadian Shooting Sports AssociationFor 42 years, the Penticton Shooting Sports Association (PSSA) has served as a vital training hub for police, a centre for firearms safety, and a place for youth education in the South Okanagan.But the land leased by the PSSA — located between Penticton and Summerland — has been declared “surplus” by the federal government and is now in the final stages of the divestment process..In May 2024, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada issued formal notice that the lease will expire on Dec. 31, 2025.According to PSSA president Christian Scott, this decision delivers a potentially fatal blow to the organization.“If you look at the facility that we have, this is a giant concrete building. We have a beautiful indoor range. We have a clubhouse up top. We’ve got three trap ranges that are built. None of this is movable,” Scott explained.There are no funds to start over in a new location. The PSSA is a non-profit that uses every dollar it raises to maintain operations, upgrade equipment, pay utilities, and keep the grounds safe and functional.Starting over simply isn’t an option..A critical public safety resourceThe RCMP, Parks Canada, the Sheriff’s Department, and both the Army and Air Cadets regularly use the facility for firearms qualification and tactical training. Approximately 100 RCMP officers rely on the PSSA for their mandated annual certification.Staff Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck of the Penticton RCMP detachment has publicly backed the association, calling the facility “essential” for training that must be done in a secure, secluded environment.“The PSSA not only has the exact specifications we require, but its seclusion from the public allows us to train with enhanced law enforcement tactical principles,” he said.Vatamaniuck emphasized that closure of the facility would significantly increase training costs and reduce effectiveness due to the loss of the site’s seclusion — a factor most other ranges cannot provide..A hub of education and outreachBeyond its role in law enforcement support, the PSSA is a cornerstone of firearms education and family-friendly community engagement. With more than 400 paid members and hundreds of guests each year, the range hosts popular events like the Exploding Pumpkin Bonanza and Range Days, which invite the public to learn about firearm safety in a secure and respectful environment.The facility provides certified training in hunter education and firearms safety for youth, cadets, and new gun owners. This helps break down fear, promote responsible firearm use, and create a safer community.“A lot of people come here scared of firearms,” Scott shared. “By the time they leave, it’s a completely different story.”.No viable alternativeThe decision to close the range would leave a massive void. Nearby ranges in Oliver and Summerland are not equipped to handle the influx of displaced members and law enforcement personnel. Nor can they offer the same infrastructure or level of privacy.The loss would not only affect recreational shooters — it would also compromise essential public safety infrastructure and youth development programs across the region.Bizarrely, the PSSA has no legal right to purchase the land. Federal rules prioritize internal departmental use, then transfer opportunities to Indigenous groups. That process is already underway, with no options remaining for the range to stay..MPs and community leaders rally support Local Members of Parliament Dan Albas and Helena Konanz, along with MLA Amelia Boultbee, have all voiced strong support for the PSSA.Albas is expected to present a formal petition to the House of Commons this fall, calling on the government to halt the divestment and renew the lease.That petition — e-6572 — has already gathered more than 6,770 signatures and remains open until September..What you can doThis issue goes beyond politics. It’s about protecting public safety, preserving local heritage, and ensuring that community-driven, responsible firearm education and law enforcement training can continue.If you believe in preserving a facility that serves law enforcement, teaches youth responsibility, and fosters safe firearm practices, now is the time to act.Sign the petition to the House of Commons today.Tony Bernardo is the Executive Director of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association.

BERNARDO: Ottawa to close critical South Okanagan shooting range

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