PEVERIL RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB RECEIVES £40,000 GRANT TO BUILD NEW CLUBHOUSE t

The Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club will be turning their vision of a new clubhouse into reality thanks to Manx Lottery Trust funding. The £40,000 grant marks a significant step towards enhancing the shooting facility and accommodating the growing needs of the Club’s membership.

Established in 2000 at the Slieau Lhost Small Arms Facility on the Mountain Road, the Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club has served as a hub for shooting enthusiasts for over two decades, where members and their guests can shoot both pistols and rifles in various disciplines.

The Clubhouse, which was built when the facility first opened, has been the cornerstone of the club's activities and is supplemented by several shipping containers used for an armoury, storage, and toilet facilities.

Spokesperson, from The Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club, said: ‘Adverse weather conditions at Windy Corner have taken a toll on the shooting range’s structures over the past two decades, particularly the shipping containers, which were only ever designed for temporary use and are in desperate need of replacement. Membership, which has grown fourfold to over 150 since the facility's establishment, has further highlighted the inadequacy of the current Clubhouse size.

‘The support from the Manx Lottery Trust is a game-changer for us. This generous grant brings us closer to realising our vision of a modern, spacious Clubhouse that can accommodate our growing membership and activities. The new facility will be a single structure that will better integrate with the surrounding landscape, will be disability friendly and include several accessible firing points to cater to a range of abilities. The new building will also include a juniors’ area and will enable training sessions and member shooting to take place simultaneously. We are excited to see what the future holds and can’t thank the Trust enough for their support with this vital project.’

The project, which has received planning permission, encompasses the construction of an expansive Clubhouse, complete with a new roof for the 25-metre range firing points. This ambitious initiative not only addresses the pressing need for updated facilities but also aligns with the Club's aspirations to promote shooting among young people, with the creation of a junior members section in support of the Isle of Man's bid to host the 2029 Island Games, where shooting has historically been a significant medal winner for the Island.

Stephen Turner, Chairman of the Manx Lottery Trust, concluded: ‘The Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club is an integral part of the Isle of Man's sporting landscape and the Trust is delighted to support the Club in their endeavour to create a new Clubhouse that will benefit both local and international shooting activities.’

For more information about The Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club, visit www.peverilrifleclub.im/.