Just when I thought our local ski club couldn鈥檛 get any better, yet another massive improvement to the biathlon range has proved me wrong.

The range can now be considered world class, according to Randy Hamp, one of the volunteers who has dedicated hundreds of hours to make the new range a reality.

Sixteen shooting lanes with covered targets and a new concrete firing line have now made Omineca Ski Club鈥檚 range a prime choice for the upcoming B.C. Cup, which will take place on Feb. 11 and 12, 2016.

鈥淲e have learned a lot from competing at various ranges across Western Canada and nothing is better than what we have here at Omineca,鈥� said a mud-covered Hamp. 鈥淭he stadium has also expanded which makes it easier for coaches to see their athletes start the race and approach the range.鈥�

Since its inception back in the 1980s, dedicated coaches and parents grew the sport to make it what it is today. Niilo Lindroos and Kate Pierce, both talented and active local skiers, inspired the creation of the first range located a couple kilometres up the Omineca Main.

Since that time, there have been many success stories coming from this program, with most recent focus going to multiple medal winner Emily Dickson, who is now headed off to Europe for two Word Cup Championships.

Five of our local athletes recently competed in the annual fall invitational competition at Otway Nordic Ski Center in Prince George. Because of their dedicated fall dry land training, the kids all placed strongly in their age categories.

Hamp added that the club is always looking for families who are interested in getting into the sport. The group meets at Omineca Ski Club every Sunday at 11 a.m. over the winter months and would love to have some new faces.

Rifles are available for rent as are skis and boots. The ski club鈥檚 annual open house is being held on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come check out the ski swap, sign up for a membership, purchase your wax from McBike, and/or relax with a bowl of homemade soup.

For more information, please email abernard698@gmail.com or visit www.ominecaskiclub.ca.