Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/285258
Range, are funded in part by the state through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) money. The FWC also operates the Tenoroc Range. Facilities such as those at Tenoroc, however, are for shooting only. Tenoroc , which was recently expanded, does not hold tournaments, according to a staff person at the site. Some private facilities do get outside funding from groups such as the NRA. The novelty of publicly funding a facility that will host tournaments and gun manufacturers did not spur conversation or any show of con- cern by commissioners Tuesday. CELEBRATION, BUT NO GUNSHOTS The commissioners who did speak about the club's request voiced support for it. Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson had worked closely with the club to bring the project to fruition. She pointed to the fact that the club is undertaking the expansion to add courses, thus enabling the facility to host national tournaments. "You can't do that right now at this facility," she added. Further, a vote of approval by the board would mean an influx of tourism money during events and full hotels for South County, where the use of TDT funding "hasn't really been there," she said. The local Chambers of Commerce also support the project, she noted. The club also is willing to invest its own funds and pay for maintenance of the county property, Robinson pointed out. "This deal is, quite frankly, amazing in my opinion," she told her colleagues. Chairman Charles Hines agreed. "They have stepped up; that's why this is a model." In a separate discussion about ways to pro- mote tourism, Commissioner Joe Barbetta mentioned the Knight Trail expansion as one example of using TDT funding to pro- mote "economic development" and increase tourism revenue. (See the related story in this issue.) After the vote to approve the club expansion and funding, Hines asked whether anyone in the County Commission Chambers had heard anything: "Are there any gunshots going off in celebration?" % Sarasota Trap, Skeet and Shooting Clays held its second Sporting Clays Classic on March 16. Image courtesy of the club Sarasota News Leader March 28, 2014 Page 21