THOMASVILLE — Almost two years after Thomas County commissioners ratified an intergovernmental agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a public shooting range, groundbreaking is set.

Groundbreaking for the facility — off County Farm and Woodruff roads — is at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 24. 

“We welcome the public,” said county Commissioner Ken Hickey. 

DNR officials will attend the event.

DNR will reimburse county government for up to $1.2 million of approved construction costs with federal grant funds. Thomas County will contribute $600,000 in matching funds through direct funding and in-kind services, according to the agreement. County government will provide land for the range.

DNR’s contribution was increased from $800,000 to pay for specific types of buildings, Hickey said.

“We had some things DNR really wanted us to do out there,” the commissioner said.

Thomas County’s range funding will come from impact fees. 

“We had to spend that money on some kind of recreation,” Hickey said.

A company will retrieve lead from the range fall zone at no charge.

The agreement calls for authorized representatives appointed by DNR and the county to serve on a joint committee to make construction and long-term management recommendations regarding the range, including public access, fee structure and operating schedules. Hickey said committee members have not been named.

County government must maintain insurance on the facility, which Thomas County will own and be responsible for operations and maintenance.

The range must be kept open year-round, and county government is responsible for the facility’s law enforcement and fire protection.

The agreement is binding for 25 years.

The facility also will provide archery opportunities and a rifle, pistol and shotgun range. A recreational fishing pond — but no pond walking track — will be part of the range. 

The range displaces the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office’s firearm training range.

“I think they need their own space, because the time they need to train is unpredictable,” Hickey said.

 The Federal Emergency Management Agency has donated an office for the sheriff’s office range.

“It is in our possession. The sheriff’s office had it transported to county property,” Hickey said.

A decision has not been made about where the sheriff’s office range will be.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820