LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A new Olympic level shooting sports facility is coming to Clarksville following a recent agreement between University of the Ozarks and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).
According to a press release, the pair has now launched the public phase of a fundraising campaign by the university in order to build what they're referring to as an "Olympic-level shooting sports facility" in Clarksville, Arkansas.
Documents detailing the construction and operation of the building were signed in September by AGFC director Austin Booth and University of the Ozarks President Richard Dunsworth. As part of the agreement, AGFC said that it will donate $2 million in matching funds to the project. From there, University of the Ozarks will raise the remaining costs.
According to Dunsworth, a total of $4.5 million has been committed to the project. This includes AGFC's $2 million pledge, $1.5 million from the university, and $1 million from the city of Clarksville.
“We are one step closer to having a world-class shooting facility right here in Clarksville,” Dunsworth said. “We have the full support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the city of Clarksville and Johnson County, and now we’re ready to fully launch the fundraising initiative.”
According to AGFC and University of the Ozarks, once the new facility is built, it will be open to the public. The facility is set to be constructed just south of I-40 on a 140-acre parcel owned by the university.
Officials at the university said that the first phase of the project's construction could begin once the school raises an additional $10 million. According to Dunsworth, this fundraising initiative would include naming-rights opportunities for donors.
As for what the first phase of the complex would include, the university said that it's planned to have the following:
- A clubhouse
- Competition-level sporting clay courses and fields for skeet, trap and bunker as well as a pistol and rifle range
- An archery field
- Spectator areas, picnic areas pavilions
According to officials, a $5 million second stage of construction would include an RV park and additional support spaces.
