Rivers and Area Game and Fish Wildlife Range grand opening

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

On Friday, July 7, the Rivers and Area Game and Fish (RAGF) celebrated the grand opening of the Wildlife Learning Centre and Ranges at the edge of town in Rivers, Manitoba. Our masters of ceremonies were Donna Falkevitch and Kelvin Lamb.

Walter Chernos was the longest serving Chief in the history of Rivers Police Service with 31 years faithfully serving our community. During those years, his passion for hunting and his job as Police Chief drew him to find a safe location to sight-in his weapons as well as hone his shooting skills. The reclaimed CN gravel pit area seemed to have just the right combination of a safe setting and proximity to town. Having grown up in Rivers and previously working for CN, Walter knew this would be the perfect setting. He and several friends set up a safe shooting area, made some minor improvements and enjoyed many years of target practice before and after Walter retired. When coming down to the shooting range became too difficult for Walter to manage, Keith Smith stepped in and continued to look after the gravel pit area for several years. The RAGF did some minor work over the years. In 2019 the outdoor shooting range committee was formed to make real changes. Bob Futrell, Craige Madden, Roger Beaudin and Kelvin Lamb formed the original committee. It was time to not only honour Walter, but to enhance this former gravel pit with the help of the RAGF.

“Glad to see an active hunting and angling community” stated Grant Jackson, PC candidate for Spruce Woods. Through many grants from various Provincial levels, conservation organizations, community foundations, donations from private citizens and businesses, this area, has now become a 19.24-acre Licensed shooting range with a 1200 sq. foot Education Centre. The shooting ranges currently include a rifle range with 4 stages, 1