BAINBRIDGE – The Bainbridge Island Sportsmen’s Club 100-yard rifle range has been closed for the last 10 years, leaving islanders no secure place to safely enjoy shooting sports.

Now, a new fundraising endeavor is underway to refurbish and reopen the range as a state-of-the-art facility.

The Sportsmen’s Club is seeking $25,000 to complete the project and has already received more than $1,000 through the online fundraising site www.indiegogo.com.

According to the fundraiser description, “The Bainbridge Island Sportsmen’s Club was founded In 1929 by a group of outdoor sports-minded individuals.

“In 2003 the unthinkable happened,” the story continues. “A bullet left our pistol range. No one was injured but the club responded by closing both the pistol range and our rifle range. As a result we lost about 1/3 or more of our membership.”

Since then, the club has made dramatic improvements to its facilities. Officials said the top priority was rebuilding and reopening the pistol range, done with a state grant, and the construction of an archery, also grant-funded, followed.

Now, the club has turned its attention to the return of the rifle range.

Again the organization has received a grant for part of the project, and some club savings have been added to the effort. The club is now seeking public assistance for the remaining needed funds.

Visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/bainbridge-island-sportsmen-s-club-rifle-range to read of the club’s plans for the facility and to donate.