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An aerial view shows the trees that will serve as natural dividers between each range and specialized area. Though filled with new structures, nature will remain a prevalent characteristic of the park.
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TALLADEGA, AL – Construction continues at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park as Phase I has reached 95 percent completion. The first phase is expected to be complete in September 2014. Clearing of brush, trees and other natural foliage is 100 percent complete, with 95 percent of the 600,000 cubic yards of dirt moved. The only earth that remains to be moved is in the action pistol bay areas.
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Employees from the CMP South office display the wooden frames built for the 600 yard electronic targets. |
Into the final stages of the Phase I portion of the project, the construction team is now preparing to plant grass and has begun placing gravel on the roadways to prepare for pavement and concrete. The amount of work complete in Phase I is impressive, considering the team has lost 50 percent of their time due to heavy rainfall throughout the year.
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Each firing point will be equipped with a large, state-of-the-art electronic target that is able to withstand multiple shots and all weather conditions. |
Phase II of the project is around 10 percent finished, with pavement down on the main entrance road and the concrete foundation for the main building complete. It may be another month before workers begin to stand steel and pour concrete slabs for the other buildings on the property. Workers are also preparing to place footings on the 600-yard range.
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This concrete slab will be home to the CMP Clubhouse. The building will overlook the 600-yard range, shown in the background.
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The second phase of the project is expected to be complete in March 2015, with the range’s official opening to the public in April 2015.
Back at CMP’s south offices, the state-of-the-art electronic targets that will be featured at the new park have been under construction. The wooden frames for the 600-yard range are already complete, while construction on the 300-yard frames will soon be underway.
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Berms have taken shape as 95 percent of the 600,000 cubic yards of crimson Alabama dirt has been moved during Phase I of the project. |
The electronically powered lifters that will control the targets are also being crafted in Ohio. Once completed, the frames and the lifters will be attached to rubber-faced targets that will be able to withstand all weather conditions and multiple shots. The targets resemble the electronic targets used within CMP’s air gun ranges – only on a much, much larger scale.
Mark Johnson, deputy chief operating officer, has described the progress of the park by saying, “It’s impressive. It’s going to be a lot more impressive looking with the grass, the woods and the rolling hills. People are going to really like it.”
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A curved pathway marks the main entrance to the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park. Workers are now in the process of paving the roadway as Phase II gets underway.
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The main goal of the new park will be to provide a place where beginning and experienced marksmen can practice firearm safety through clinics and courses, as well as find enjoyment through our CMP Games matches. The park will also be open for year-round open public shooting.
For more on the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, visit http://thecmp.org/Competitions/talladegamarksmanshippark.htm.
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