MAJOR CAMP PERRY IMPROVEMENTS AWAIT 2004 NATIONAL MATCHES COMPETITORS

This view of road construction now taking place on Niagara Road looks south from the main flag pole at Camp Perry. Niagara is the main road leading into Camp Perry.

When competitors arrive at Camp Perry for the 2004 National Matches they will see many significant improvements resulting from efforts by the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department to upgrade the Camp Perry infrastructure and improve the National Matches. The Civilian Marksmanship Program has actively supported these changes by providing funding support and a renewed commitment to keep the National Trophy Matches at Camp Perry. The overall result of these changes should make the 2004 National Matches better and more enjoyable for the 5,000 plus competitors who are expected to come to Camp Perry this summer.

Another view of Niagara Road construction. The Arcade that houses CMP Headquarters is in the background.

CMP NATIONAL MATCHES LEASE EXTENDED. The CMP and Ohio National Guard Adjutant General’s Department recently agreed to extend the license that allows the CMP to use Camp Perry ranges for the Annual National Matches. Only five years remained on the previous agreement, but the new license extends this commitment to 25 years, ending in 2029. The license extension reaffirms the CMP’s commitment to keep the National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry. The 25-year lease to use Camp Perry for the National Matches was recently signed by the Ohio Adjutant General, MG John Smith, and the Governor of Ohio, Robert Taft.

The reconstruction of Lawrence Road, which runs along the Camp Perry ranges, is already complete. This view looks to the east from the Range Operations center.

CAMP PERRY ROADS. Construction work is now well underway on a $500,000 project to repave three of the most important roads at Camp Perry. Niagara Road, from the main gate to the flag pole, Lawrence Road, which runs along the rear of the all four Camp Perry ranges, and Donahey Road, which provides access to Commercial Row, are all being completely rebuilt and repaved. Work on Lawrence and Donahey Roads is already complete. Camp Perry roadwork is expected to be completed by sometime in June.

Many of the Camp Perry huts have already been rebuilt in this style.

CAMP PERRY HUT RENOVATION. Many huts on the west side of Camp Perry are being rebuilt this spring to make them more habitable and to assure that they will continue to be available until new competitor housing can be built at Camp Perry. Hut renovation includes the removal of old asbestos siding, the installation of new siding, doors and windows and the installation of new electrical systems that will allow competitors to use electrical equipment that previously was prohibited. The hut renovation project is supported in part by a major grant from the CMP.

The project to rebuild the remaining Camp Perry huts like these huts is expected to continue in future years.

OTHER CAMP PERRY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. In addition to the hut renovation project, many Camp Perry housing modules are being upgraded, the Camp Perry water system is now serviced by the Ottawa County Regional Water system and the post sanitary sewer system will be connected to the Port Clinton Sanitary District in 2005. Housing upgrades and infrastructure improvements now underway at Camp Perry total some 3.26 million dollars.

1000 YARD LINE IMPROVEMENTS. In a move that will benefit the NRA 1000 yard matches, the Ohio National Guard has issued a contract that will provide for raising the entire 1000-yard firing line on Viale Range. The installation of military pop-up targets in 2003 had made it difficult or impossible to see target numbers on the last 50 firing points of the Viale Range 1000 yard firing line. This problem will now be corrected by the project to raise the firing line. Colonel Richard Willinger, Fort Ohio and Camp Perry Commander expects the project be completed by the first of July.

The renovation of Camp Perry huts includes removal of old asbestos siding, the installation of new siding, doors and windows and the installation of new electrical systems.

CAMP PERRY MASTER PLAN. The Ohio Adjutant General directed that a Camp Perry Master Plan looking 25 years into the future be created. What is unique about this planning process is that the planning group includes representation from the Ohio Army National Guard and Adjutant General’s Department as well as representatives from the CMP and NRA. The master plan not only provides for how Camp Perry will fulfill military training requirements, but also how Camp Perry can accommodate a growing and improving National Matches.