A state-of-the art indoor commercial shooting range and retail store – which claims to be the largest in southern Maine – officially opened on Route 302 in Windham on Saturday.
An open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new business, Windham Indoor Shooting Range & Retail Store, which is located beside Windham Weaponry in the Windham Business Park. The event attracted at least 100 residents and gun enthusiasts from Windham and surrounding communities, range shareholders, and members of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.
“We think it’s going to be very successful, and be a good addition to the community and the rest of the state,” said Richard Dyke, chairman and chief executive officer of Windham Weaponry. Dyke, who owns the range along with a group of shareholders, took part in the ceremony from Florida via webcam.
People who use the range will be able “to learn the proper use of weaponry” to help keep their families and community safe “should the need arise,” Dyke said. “This is certainly a good sister company and we think that it will grow,” he added.
Windham Weaponry’s president, Warren Dyke, added that the new shooting range and retail store “is a good generator for more good jobs in the community,” and said the range’s state-of-the-art equipment will set Windham’s facility apart from other ranges in New England.
“It’s a really clean, safe environment, and the staff, you will find, is really going to be exceptional,” Warren Dyke said. “We scoured the state for staff that was at the highest caliber out there for the kind of interaction that you need to have at an indoor shooting range.”
Construction of the two-bay, 12-lane, 25-yard shooting range and 2,500 square foot retail store took two years and cost $1.2 million to complete, according to the range’s vice president, Allen Faraday, who was the project manager and is also executive vice president of operations for Windham Weaponry. Construction began in June to retrofit the existing building and wrapped up this fall.
“We are really proud of the work we’ve done here,” he said.
The retail store, which is open seven days a week, features a full line of pistols, revolvers, rifles, tactical equipment, firearms accessories and clothing. A section of the store is dedicated to buying and selling of antique firearms, private transfers, consignment sales, trade-ins and gunsmithing services for repairs and upgrades. The store will also serve as an outlet for Windham Weaponry’s products, including rifles, parts and accessories. A “Try Before You Buy” program allows customers to test out a gun before buying it.
“Our goal with this company is to be a one-stop shop for your firearm needs,” said store manager Ryan Petersen.
The indoor range, which is also open seven days a week, features state-of-the-art equipment from the global leader in shooting range development, Action Target, including total shot containment, air filtration and a target retrieval system, according to the range’s website.
It is well lit and has a lounge with ballistic windows so customers can watch the shooters. While the range welcomes walk-ins, it also has a membership program, which gives the members discounts and allows them to reserve time ahead for shooting. Three membership options – individual, family and public safety/veteran – range from $65 for three months for an individual to $495 annually for families of two, are available.
Classes can be booked online. The rate for non-members using the range is $20 per hour or $12 for 30 minutes.
“Memberships have exceeded our expectations,” Dyke said, during the ceremony.
A women’s shooting club, as well as private lessons, youth programs and shooting leagues are also being offered at the shooting range. A small classroom is located toward the rear of the facility where adjunct instructors provide training in concealed carry and basic/advanced personal defense and more. Trained sales personnel and range safety officers are also on hand to ensure visitors’ shooting needs are met in a safe environment.
“Where Maine is an open-carry state now, people should take safety courses and understand how to operate a weapon,” said Buxton resident, Mike McPherson, who became a range member two weeks ago and spent time shooting Saturday.
For McPherson, the new range will help him become more proficient with shooting a handgun for safety purposes. He also likes the camaraderie it generates.
“It’s fun,” McPherson said.
The shooting range’s motto is “training begins at the door,” said general manager Peter Joyce.
“That indoor range has been a dream of mine for 30 years,” said Joyce moments before the ribbon cutting. “Over those 30 years, I’ve had some conversations with a number of different groups (to try) to make this happen. The attention to detail and commitment to customer service is A-plus.”
The store opened Oct. 3 and the range opened Nov. 13, and so far, there’s been “great feedback” from the community, Joyce said.
“You can’t ask for a better place to shoot,” he said.
Peter Joyce, left, will manage the new store and range. Windham Weaponry’s vice president and range project manager Allen Faraday is at right.
Range safety officers assist shooters inside a new state-of-the-art indoor shooting range in Windham on Saturday.
Staff members of the Windham Indoor Shooting Range & Retail Store assist customers on Saturday following the new business’ grand opening.
Local dignitaries celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at the new Windham Indoor Shooting Range & Retail Store on Route 302.
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