I was president when we built the parking lot trap house and pads. Labor was done by club members, and the materials were donated by local companies at that time. So, it did not cost us a dime. That range was for overflow 16 yard practice. At that time, Purdue would only allow active students and alumni to shoot at the range due to liability. Contact local construction companies and cement manufactures to see if they would donate the materials. We had many club members that were in Building Construction majors in our day that garnered many connections within the community. Vulcan owned the land around us then and one member interned with then during his time there which also provide grading work and other clearing at that time/. We were a resourceful bunch back then. The Gounds crew at Purdue loved us because we did all the work, and they just mowed the place.

 

Its good to here from you! We will talk with local companies to see what materials and services we can get donated. Unfortunately, the days of having our members buildup our facilities are over due to changes in Purdue's liability polices. So, we will have to have some sort of contractor move the dirt and pour the concrete for us.

 

Since the trap in question shares space with the parking lot, we've thought about making a solid paved area for the trap field and painting yardage markers. Thoughts on this versus a more traditional field set up?

This is a disaster in the offing if you don't fully reconfigure cars and pedestrians away from that area. What is the first thing that is going to happen? SOMEBODY WILL PARK THERE! I know, I know... we'll use traffic cones, signs, blah, blah blah. Nope, ain't gonna happen. SOMEBODY WILL PARK THERE!

I'll admit, I've never seen an entirely asphalt trap field. From a maintenance standpoint, I love it, From a practical standpoint... not so much. So try this. Go stand out on a basketball or tennis court... on a blazin' ass hot summer day... it's unbearable with that heat radiating up at you. Imagine trying to shoot a 200 singles event like that. Back in my wife's competitive tennis days, they'd monitor the court temperatures. I don't remember the limit, but when it got past a specified surface temperature, play ceased.

Don't let your desire to have a second full field override common sense.

 

This is a disaster in the offing if you don't fully reconfigure cars and pedestrians away from that area. What is the first thing that is going to happen? SOMEBODY WILL PARK THERE! I know, I know... we'll use traffic cones, signs, blah, blah blah. Nope, ain't gonna happen. SOMEBODY WILL PARK THERE!

I'll admit, I've never seen an entirely asphalt trap field. From a maintenance standpoint, I love it, From a practical standpoint... not so much. So try this. Go stand out on a basketball or tennis court... on a blazin' ass hot summer day... it's unbearable with that heat radiating up at you. Imagine trying to shoot a 200 singles event like that. Back in my wife's competitive tennis days, they'd monitor the court temperatures. I don't remember the limit, but when it got past a specified surface temperature, play ceased.

Don't let your desire to have a second full field override common sense.

I did not include the fact that this is not our only parking. Attached is a picture of the full range. We really don't shoot much in the summer as it is a college range so a bunch of our shooters leave for summer break. I had not thought about the effects of radiant heat, thanks for bringing that up! Parking is tight when we host ATA big 50 shoots, but we use spray paint to mark the parking lot for a yard line, meaning we already use both fields for handicap and don't have issues with cars parking on the 27 yard line. We were more worried about the longevity of a traditional concrete field as it would be driven over for some cars to park.

 

I shot at Purdue for the first time last Summer, I was the first person there and actually did park on what turned out to be the Hcp shooting area. I didn't see the actual parking area as I drove in, it was to the left and back, Once I'd signed in I moved my car, hope to shoot there again this Summer.

Pat

 

I had not thought of the fully paved fields until you mentioned them.

Indeed, under a hot summer sun, the do get verry uncomfortable on your feet, and heat up your body as well.

My opinion is Concrete walk backs with stone in between the walks.

Fully paved:

Concrete walk backs with stone between, cooler and provides drainage.

 

Seems like with the right concrete guy it would work out just fine give that picture! Thanks for all the input and ideas.

 

I read a few days ago on another forum, a guy was trying to build one on a farm for starting a 4H type youth club. A fellow shooter reported they just built one for around $9K. Not sure if any specifics, but at least it gives you a thought. I would figure depends on concrete costs and how expansive it is.