SOVEREIGN LAKE NORDIC CLUB

BIATHLON RANGE USE POLICY

The Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (SLNC) shooting range is approved for Biathlon use only. Use of the SLNC Biathlon Range for individual training, courses, team training and/or competitions MUST be approved and booked in advance. This is to avoid any potential conflicts between user groups. SLNC Biathlon Programs take precedence over other groups.

• All users of the SLNC Biathlon Range MUST have a valid SLNC ski trail pass PLUS a valid SLNC biathlon range pass. These are available in the SLNC Lodge.
• All users must read and fully adhere to the BIATHLON RANGE SAFETY RULES. This document is found here, in the SLNC Lodge, and on the SLNC Biathlon Range.
• There must be a qualified Range Safety Officer (RSO) present on the range at all times during a practice or a competition (see Biathlon Range Safety Rules for more details). A qualified RSO is someone who has a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) AND has undergone a SLNC Biathlon Range orientation session (each season) by approved SLNC personnel. The qualified RSO must read and sign the SLNC Range Officer Registration Form in person in the SLNC Lodge before using the Range for the first time each season.
• All range equipment MUST be properly stored away after every range session and MUST NOT BE LEFT OUT OVERNIGHT. NO EXCEPTIONS! A $60 Range Violation fee will be charged to groups not following Range Use Rules. 
• Paint is stored in the Biathlon cabin and targets can be painted prior to your range session.

Failure to comply with these SLNC Range Use Conditions and/or the SLNC Biathlon Range Safety Rules will result in loss of SLNC Biathlon Range use privileges. Any damage to SLNC property or equipment will be your responsibility to repair, replace or otherwise rectify to the satisfaction of SLNC management.

To book SLNC Biathlon Range time please fill out the SLNC BIATHLON RANGE USE BOOKING REQUEST FORM and email it to [email protected]

SLNC BIATHLON RANGE SAFETY RULES

1) Each individual athlete is responsible for the safe handling of his/her rifle.

2) All users of the SLNC biathlon range must be members of a provincial/territorial or national biathlon association.

3) All shooters must be lawfully entitled to possess the rifle in use or be directly supervised by a person lawfully entitled to possess the rifle. This is particularly important for athletes new to the sport and younger athletes. During a competition, the Chief of Range (or any other Biathlon Official) is not responsible for said supervision. Acting coaches are responsible for this supervision.

4) A biathlon Range Safety Officer (RSO), responsible for opening and closing the range and for enforcing all safety rules, must be present for any event when the range is in operation. During biathlon competitions, the Chief of Range, or his/her designate, is the RSO. During individual training, one of the people using the range must assume the function of the RSO. The RSO MUST have a valid Firearms Possession and Acquisition License (PAL).

5) Red and green safety flags, under the control of the Range Safety Officer, must be used when the range is being operated. The red flag indicates that the range is OPEN for shooting. The green flag indicates that the range is CLOSED for shooting. The RSO will close the range and the green flag must be prominently displayed when it is necessary to step in front of the firing line (under the RSO’s direction), to change paper targets, etc. When the range is closed, all rifles must be unloaded. When the range is closed during training, users must step well away from any unloaded rifles on the firing line. Regardless of the flag in place, it is imperative that all users of the range be safety conscious.

6) The use of red and green flags or any P.A. announcements does not override the verbal commands of the RSO.

7) When transporting a rifle to and from the firing line, the unloaded rifle must be pointed upward and have the bolt open. When preparing to load and shoot the rifle, the rifle must be pointed down range in the direction of the target. Inserting the magazine into the rifle is considered to be part of the loading procedure.

8) Only shoot at the appropriate target, either metal or paper. Do not intentionally shoot at the paddles, target setting indicators, etc. Only air rifles or rifles which use .22 cal LR rim fire ammunition (standard or target, not high velocity) may be used.

9) Under no circumstances may a loaded rifle be left unattended. For those biathletes not required to carry a rifle in competition, the bolt must be open and the magazine removed before the biathlete leaves the firing line after completing shooting. When not in use, unloaded rifles must be placed in a rifle rack with the bolt open and the magazine removed. Rifles may not be left on the range unsupervised.

10) In event formats or athlete categories in which competitors carry a rifle “rack to rack”, the rifle must be picked up from an entrance rack prior to entering the range and placed in an exit rack after shooting. Rifles in these racks must be left with the bolt open and the magazine removed. When the rifle is in transit between the entrance rack and the firing point prior to shooting and between the firing point and the exit rack after shooting, the bolt must be open and the magazine removed.

11) Any unsafe handling of a rifle will not be tolerated. In such a case, the RSO has the power to immediately suspend range use privileges for the offender. Any such action is to be reported by the RSO as soon as possible to the management of the SLNC range.

12) These SLNC Biathlon Range Safety Rules include sections from International Biathlon Union (IBU) safety regulations, mostly sections 8.5 and 8.6 of the IBU;Event and Competition Rules, 2006 edition, and Canadian firearm safety regulations. In the case of conflict of any of these regulations, the more stringent shall apply. It is the responsibility of all users of the SLNC biathlon range to be aware of and adhere to these rules.

13) All persons using the range must have a valid SLNC trail pass and a valid SLNC biathlon range pass.

14) All range equipment must be stored away after each use and not left out over night – NO EXCEPTIONS!

SLNC BIATHLON RANGE USE BOOKING REQUEST FORM* under construction