South Dakota officially opened the Pete Lien & Sons Shooting Sports Complex on Friday, a $20 million, 400-acre facility located 10 miles north of Rapid City. The grand opening drew state officials, members of the Game, Fish and Parks Commission, and representatives from major firearms companies including Glock and Smith & Wesson.
Commission Chairwoman Stephanie Rissler praised the complex as a safe, welcoming space for both new and experienced shooters, calling it a long-term investment in South Dakota’s outdoor future.
One of the largest public shooting ranges in the country, the complex features rifle, pistol, shotgun, and archery ranges. It will host recreational shooting, safety programs, competitions, and law enforcement training.
The project faced political hurdles, including lawmakers’ refusal to allocate state funds. Then-Governor Kristi Noem later directed $13.5 million from the Future Fund to support the build. An additional $6.6 million came from 58 donors, including $2 million from gun-industry sponsors. Pete Lien and Sons secured naming rights with $2 million in contributions.
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