Clark County looks for ways to save costs at shooting complex

The Clark County Shooting Complex was the location of shooter Michael Reese’s June 28 wedding.

The bride, groom and wedding attendees had fun shooting after the wedding.

Reese described the ceremony, performed by former Mayor Oscar Goodman, this way: “I had an actual Las Vegas shotgun wedding.”

He told county commissioners Tuesday that he supports the park and encouraged them to be creative as they explore ways to market it.

Commissioners discussed the financially ailing shooting complex, which continues to be a money drain.

They also raised the possibility of hiring a management company to run the complex, with the county paying the firm.

But they didn’t act on that idea Tuesday, and it’s uncertain what will happen next.

Complex managers have taken some steps to save money, which include trimming hours at the complex and reducing hourly wages of part-time staffers. They’re also planning major tournaments and events in the upcoming year that they hope will raise money.

The complex, which opened in 2010, has lost $2.85 million in the past four fiscal years. The highest loss was $1.1 million in fiscal year 2013, and the lowest was $367,992 in fiscal year 2012.

Commissioner Tom Collins said the complex needs to make its marketing presence more widely known with websites such as vegas.com.

“The key is marketing it and reaching out,” Collins said.

Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said the complex’s finances need to improve, including the marketing.

“We need to do something,” he said.

Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani suggested that one thing to look at in the future might be hiring a company to manage the complex. She also noted that other traditional park projects could use money.

“It’s a Catch-22, but I would like us to finish our true recreational parks rather than putting a lot more money into this,” she said. “But I want it to be successful because it does fill a niche that’s out there.”

The complex, north of Las Vegas, also was hit with a nationwide ammunition shortage that affected its bottom line this past year, complex Manager Steve Carmichael told commissioners.

Some of the park’s financial issues can be traced to faulty information the county received from a consulting firm when the complex planning was underway. The firm assumed that 96 planned recreational vehicle spots would all be rented out continually. But now, the complex has 80 spots, and they aren’t filled up all the time.

Don Turner, a former manager of the complex who was involved in the facility’s early days, told county officials that there were missed opportunities.

He had asked for the county pay for a marketing position, which was part of its plan to make the complex well-known. Instead, the county filled that position with a public information officer, he said.

The site also had gravel that could be sold, but the county didn’t put in a scale for that effort, Turner said.

Commissioners appeared hopeful that in future generations, the complex will be around without the financial struggles of today.

“This is a legacy,” Commissioner Larry Brown said. “It’s a generational project.”

Contact reporter Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-405-9781. Follow him on Twitter @BenBotkin1.