Perth Pistol Club to leave club by 2010

ABC1 (Perth), Stateline, 11/07/2008 07:43pm

The Perth Pistol Club has long been a place of companionship and competition for its members, but the club has been forced off the WA Government land it has called home since its inception. The WA Government has refused to renew the club’s lease so as to allow the neighbouring cemetery room to expand.
Elli Felcman, a shooter, says she will be sad to see the club go.
Nick Kleyn, a shooter, says nobody will be using the land for at least 10 years.
The group has until 2010 to vacate the South Guildford land.
Brett Marsland, President of the Perth Pistol Club, says he fears a lack of a championship quality venue in Perth will lead to competitive shooters to leave the state.
Michelangelo Guistiniano, an elite shooter, says he loves the club. He says he met his wife at the club.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board says they need land across WA and the South Guildford site will be needed within five years. Peter Deague, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, says the club were aware of the need for the club. He says 13 hectares of the cemetery was earmarked for protection by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
Marsland says the club will have to fold if another site can not be found. The club is considering an amalgamation with the Whiteman Park Shooting Complex.
John Kobelke, Sport and Recreation Minister, WA Government, says the Whiteman Park facility is a great area for the club.
The Perth Pistol Club says the complex would need a $3m upgrade to be up to scratch for competitions.
Kobelke says he is unsure how much money can be contributed by the WA Government.
Alannah Slater, a shooter, says it would be good to have a new facility at Whiteman Park.
Interviewee: Brett Marsland, President of Perth Pistol Club; Elli Felcman, shooter; Nick Kleyn, shooter; Alannah Slater, shooter; John Kobelke, Sport and Recreation Mininster for WA Government; Peter Deague, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.