Bonnyville Shooting Sports Association celebrating 40 years

A festival is planned for a big anniversary for a local Bonnyville group. 

The Bonnyville Shooting Sports Association (BSSA) is celebrating 40 years on Saturday, June 15th with a big community get-together. 

Music, food, and activities for the kids are planned and everyone is invited. 

“We figured 40 years here in Bonnyville, we’ve managed to stay this long that we might as well give back to the community,” said Jason Carroll, president of the association. 

Admission to the event is a donation to the Bonnyville Food Bank. 

Set from noon until 8:00pm, the Bonnyville & District SPCA will be barbecuing in the afternoon keeping people fed. The Bonnyville Legion is having a steak night too while there, cooking up the meat from 5:00-7:00pm. 

Local vendors will be set up as well selling their wares. Kids can enjoy the inflatables blown up and sparkle tattoos. 

Indigenous performers and drummers will provide a multiculturalism flair to the anniversary, leading into the musical performance. 

Before singer-songwriter Mike Plume hits the stage, the microphone is open for those who want to perform. 

Then at 6:00pm, the songwriter will begin for your listening pleasure. 

“All the proceeds are going to all the different organizations that are working with us today,” said Carroll. 

When people come for the festival, it’s suggested to bring a lawn chair for the show.

History 

Formed in 1983, the BSSA is situated just off of Range Road 461, south of the Bonnyville Waste Transfer Station. 

With over 500 active members today, they began with humble beginnings, and have grown to be certified for hand gun, shot gun, and rimfire, centerfire and black powder rifle use.

“It’s surreal to me. I’ve spoken with the first president [RCMP Constable Mike Lynn] when they opened in 1983 and what this place looked like. All they had was a quarter section, fully wooded, they had some great volunteers that spent a lot of hours with handsaws, chainsaws, and they finally got some donations of some cats and stuff and were able to clear a lot of property,” said Carroll. 

“They started off with just one basic 50 metre bay here, and they continued to work hard and grow and now we have this beautiful facility with all sorts of different options and such a nice green space.”

The pistol range was then completed in 1984. Various instructors came to town to help instill safe and basic handling for the users.

Since then, the BSSA has grown in membership and land.

While it is a membership club, two participating guests are allowed to accompany a member and pay a small fee.