State-of-the-art shooting sports center at MSU

By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

LANSING — Groundbreaking for the $3.5 million John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the campus of Michigan State University took place last Friday, July 18.

John Demmer joined MSU Vice President for Finance and Operations Fred Poston and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries in digging the first ceremonial shovels of dirt. Later, Demmer took the first ceremonial shot at the air rifle range, while Norm Graham, MSU archery coach, fired a flaming first arrow on the archery range.

The new facility will be open to the public, and along with providing the MSU shooting teams with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities, will help to support the NCAA shooting programs and team sports, the National Archery in the Schools Program and hunter safety and 4-H youth programs. Also expected to use the facilities are club shooting sports that include small-bore, air rifle and archery, academic programs in shooting sports, law enforcement and related curricula.

Demmer and his late wife, Marnie, both alums of MSU, gave principle support for the building. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Glassen Foundation are major contributors, and all funding was the result of contributions to MSU rather than state or federal funding programs.

The 23,000-square-foot multi-use barrier-free facility will become the second largest indoor shooting facility in the Midwest, will be recognized as one of the top five shooting sports facilities in the U.S. and the only shooting sports center to provide two indoor ranges and three outdoor ranges. It will be open year-round for the public’s use.

Demmer, founder and chairperson of the Lansing-based Demmer Corp., met his wife prior to World War II when the pair attended MSU. He noted that he sees the premier center as a way to honor Marnie’s legacy.

“It has been my fondest wish that this spectacular facility will help inspire respect for the shooting sports and that it will be replicated at other institutions,” Demmer said. “It feels great to be helping Michigan State University bringing a world-class facility to its campus for the promotion of shooting sports.”

With a world class facility in the state by its completion date of June 2009, statewide and national shooting organizations also may be able to host statewide, sectional and national tournaments in archery and the other shooting sports. The Michigan Archers Association noted the creation of the facility in its July newsletter. Its association clubs throughout the state, including the Saginaw Valley locally, also likely will send its Olympic Development teams and club members to use the facility as they gear up for competitions.

Organizations on hand for the groundbreaking also noted that the center will allow them to expand academic and certification capacity for MSU programs that require firearm safety and education certifications, and others through the Fisheries and Wildlife, Criminal Justice and ROTC program. Firearm safety for youth and 4-H on up to state officials also will be available.

‘The Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and Training Center is an important addition to both our competitive and educational programs. In addition to housing our NCAA teams, the new facility will promote firearms safety, wildlife management education and shooting sports skills development,” said Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resouces. “It is also an important extension of MSU training programs that serve local law enforcement agencies.”