The Armstrong and District Fish and Game Club is ready to show off its new, world-class archery field when it hosts the BC Provincial Outdoor Championships this Labour Day weekend.
The archery field at the club's headquarters on Reservoir Road in Spallumcheen was completed two years ago. It took 400 dump truck loads of material to level off the field, which now has neat walking paths for archers to use as they line up in front of brand-new targets, which were created thanks to wood donations from Tolko and Shepherd's Hardware.
It's now an Olympic-style field and is also certified accessible as wheelchair users can access it.
Club member Lloyd Polack told The Morning Star he believes it's now one of the best archery fields in Canada.
"Even in Burnaby where they have a lot of Olympic shooters, they're walking in ankle-deep water in the spring," said Polack, who has represented Canada at the Pan American Archery Championships. He said there isn't that kind of flooding at the new Armstrong field.
The driving force behind getting the field levelled was David Connery, said Polack, and the field has become a gem of a facility in large part due to his efforts.
Archery Canada's BC Outdoor Provincial Championships run Aug. 30-31 at the Armstrong facility.
Following an afternoon practice on Friday, Aug. 29, the first championship day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Day 2 of the championship goes Sunday, also starting at 10 a.m. Medal presentations, including triple crown awards, will begin as soon as possible once the scores have been tabulated. Archers must shoot both days to qualify for championship medals.
Both a 720-target and a field target competition will take place at the championships, which serves as one of the qualifiers for the national team.
Fifty registered shooters from across B.C. will take part.
"That will be everyone from 12-year-old kids to 80-year-olds," Polack said.
It's the first time the Armstrong club is hosting the outdoor championships. In the past, it has hosted the indoor championships at the Hassen Arena.
Club members are over the moon about the chance to host the event.
"Given the size of Armstrong and the level of competition that's coming, I'm just elated, I think this is wonderful," said member Lynda Wagner.
Spectators are welcome to attend the event and witness some world-class shooting at the revamped facility.
"As a club we're excited to show off our new field, and this is a perfect opportunity to do it," said Polack. "I think the competitors are going to be very impressed."
The club saw its numbers dwindle during the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� somewhat ironic to the members as archery was a great activity when getting outdoors was the best public health option for people at the time. The members are hoping the championships can bring in some new members looking to enjoy the sport on a regular basis.
The membership fee is $90 for singles and $125 for couples and families.
"That's one of the cheapest rates going right now as far as club membership," said Lyndon Ivey, a club member for eight years. "Down in Vancouver, you could possibly pay upwards of $2,000."
About 14 people used to come out to the club's Mail Match shooting events every Thursday afternoon, but due to some people moving on, "we don't really have that happening anymore, so we'd love to rebuild that," said Polack.
On Saturdays the club hosts $10 drop-ins and provides equipment and coaches to help people learn the ropes. Right now they're seeing just over a dozen people attending drop-in and they have plenty of room for more.
The club has big plans for the future as it's looking to build an indoor archery facility on its grounds. They've estimated it would cost between $80,000 and $100,000 and they've applied for corporate grants to help set the groundwork.
"That's a big project that needs some planning and some community assistance and volunteers, and anybody that wants to help us get bigger and better," said Wagner.
The range will be closed during the Outdoor Provincial Championships this weekend.
To learn more about the Armstrong and District Fish and Game Association or to become a member, visit .
