Family-owned archery range targets Steinbach area

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This article was published 24/10/2015 (3473 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

D & G Family Archery Range is bringing something new to the Steinbach area.

The year-round, 20-yard indoor archery range and store is the first of its kind in the area. Owned and operated by Darren and Gloria Penner, the business opened during the summer.

The business idea—from Darren’s point-of-view—came from his love of the sport and the need for something different.

“We decided to open the business because I enjoy hunting. I love the sport of hunting, I love everything about the sport, be it archery or rifle season,” said Darren Penner. “It’s something that I have a passion for and I wanted to do something a little different before I couldn’t do anything different.”

Prior to the archery range, the Penners ran a farm equipment salvage yard off their property. They closed it down in 2010.

“[This business] seemed like a good fit for us. We had the building and the available space, so this is what it progressed into,” said Darren.

“It was something that I’ve wanted to do for a number of years but never had the courage to partake in it. My wife said, ‘well let’s do this!’ She got behind me on this and has been a very good influence and support and push.”

Darren’s wife, Gloria, said they had been on and off trying to sell their property.

“It’s a very sad thing to do, as [it was in Darren’s family previously],” she said. “Since we decided on archery, we wanted it to be for the whole community.”

Gloria Penner said the heart of the business’ idea for her, came after a period in her life where she wasn’t able to get out of bed. During that time, Gloria joined a ski trip that changed her life. She said that once she got to the slopes, she didn’t want to leave.

“I would like [the business] to be for people who have put their bowls in the corner and just being able to start again and be filled with life,” she said. “That’s where I’m coming from.”

Darren Penner said they want D & G Family Archery Range to be a community-based business.

“We want people who don’t normally have access—I mean, there are some other indoor archery ranges in Winnipeg, but it’s a travel—we wanted something a little closer and a little more local,” he said.

The range officially opened in August, with grand opening earlier this month. So far, their business has been met with positive response, said Darren Penner.

“We’ve had a lot of people say, ‘oh wonderful! It’s about time we had something like this in Steinbach. It’s great that you started something like this!’” he said.

“There are a lot of archers. In rural communities during the summer, people do a lot of shooting outside, but in winter time, they have to go to Winnipeg if they want to shoot indoors. So yes, there’s a lot of interest.”

If you’re not an expert archer, you can still participate.

“The bulk of my students in my classes don’t have any archery experience other than camp experience,” said Darren Penner. “That’s where a lot of my students are coming from right now—first-timers or entry-level archers.”

“You hear about a lot of people who have their bows stuffed away and they’d love to get it out, but the distance to travel was just too much and now it’s a reality,” adds Gloria Penner.

D & G Family Archery Range offers a variety of services in addition to the range, including the sale and servicing of archery equipment and firearms maintenance. They also offer lessons, host birthday parties and group events.

They’re located at 39026 Road 38E off Provincial Road 311. Visit their Facebook page for more information.