News Summary
Walker, MI is preparing to welcome a new indoor shooting range approved by the Planning Commission. Located near the Michigan State Police building, the facility will feature multiple safe shooting lanes, advanced HVAC systems, and spaces for training and retail. Plans indicate a construction timeline of around 10 months, with an anticipated opening in late 2026 or early 2027.Â
Walker, MI is set to welcome a new indoor shooting range designed to serve gun owners in the Grand Rapids area. The Walker Planning Commission approved plans for the facility last month, which will be located at 3375 Shippers Drive NW, near the intersection of Walker Avenue and Northridge Drive. This site is conveniently situated close to a Michigan State Police building at 2290 4 Mile Road NW and will occupy 2.05 acres of undeveloped land.
The planned facility will cover a total of 10,202 square feet and will include 10 indoor range bays. It is designed with safety and comfort in mind, featuring sound-absorbing panels, ballistic stall walls to separate firing lanes, and ballistically rated floors, walls, and ceilings. Additionally, the range will include a bullet trap intended for the safe capture of projectiles.
An advanced HVAC system has been incorporated into the design to circulate and refresh the air every 90 seconds, ensuring a healthy breathing environment for users. The facility will also comprise a classroom designated for gun safety training events and a retail space offering eye and ear protection, ammunition, and firearms.
The developer for this project is Leslie Tassel Inc., who is working in collaboration with Range Development Services, a consulting firm from North Carolina. The owner of Range Development Services emphasized that the range will adhere to industry best practices, describing it as a “concrete bunker” specifically designed for ballistic containment. The range will also be staffed by trained and certified range safety officers who will evaluate visitors for clear-mindedness before granting them access.
Construction of the indoor shooting range is anticipated to take around 10 months. If all goes according to plan, the facility is expected to open its doors in late 2026 or early 2027. Walker Police Chief Keith Mankel has reviewed the site plan in conjunction with the Michigan State Police and expressed no objections to the project. However, he recommended the addition of trees to the north property line to create a natural barrier.
As of now, the developer has not yet finalized the purchase of the property, but it is reported that a purchase agreement is in place.
This new facility is poised to meet the growing needs of gun owners in the region, providing a safe and well-designed environment for shooting practice and training. The introduction of this range further highlights the ongoing interest and engagement in firearm activities within the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Grand Rapids Approves Multiple Housing Projects to Address Needs
Additional Resources
- MLive: New Indoor Shooting Range Planned for Grand Rapids Suburb
- Google Search: Indoor Shooting Range
- MLive: New Homes and Indoor Gun Range Planned
- Wikipedia: Shooting range
- Outdoor Life: Best Shooting Ear Protection Devices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Safety
- Recoil: Best Hearing Protection for Shooters
- Google Scholar: Indoor Shooting Safety
- Audiophile On: Best Hearing Protection for Shooting
- Google News: Shooting Range News
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
