CAMP PERRY, Ohio – On Monday, Aug. 3, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony of a new major expansion project. The expansion represents far more than additional square footage—it reflects CMP’s continued commitment to growing the sport of marksmanship and supporting athletes at every stage of their journey.
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“This is certainly an auspicious start to what will be an extraordinary and impactful project,” said Jerry O’Keefe, CMP’s Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair. “The task to design a modern building that provides the optimal shooting conditions, a memorable visitor experience, all while honoring the 100-plus-year history of Camp Perry as the home of marksmanship is not one we’ve taken lightly.”
“We all know that Camp Perry has been considered a destination for shooting sports for many, many years – actually, many, many decades,” he said. “But with this new complex, it truly will be the mecca of shooting sports in the United States.”
“This truly is an inflection point in CMP’s history. We couldn’t be more excited about this project and the many more opportunities ahead,” he concluded.
CMP Chief Competitions Officer for International Disciplines Brad Donoho, working alongside two-time Olympic gold medalist and Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus Gary Anderson, envisioned the expansion as a long-term investment in the future of competitive shooting sports. Building on the success of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which has hosted hundreds of local, regional and national competitions over the past decade, the new facility will further establish Camp Perry as a premier destination for smallbore and air gun marksmanship.
“What began as a conversation quickly became a shared effort,” Donoho said. “It involved staff, athletes, coaches, officials, designers, engineers and shooting sports leaders. Our goal is to create opportunities for junior competitors, to support collegiate and national-level programs and provide America’s current and future Olympians with a place to prepare for the world stage.”
“That purpose reflects the CMP’s mission – promote marksmanship, firearm safety and youth programs,” he added.
Distinguished guests in attendance:
- Ohio Lieutenant Governor, Jim Tressel
- Congressman Bob Latta, U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio’s 5th District
- Ohio Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, COL (P) Jonathan Stewart
- Mayor of Port Clinton, Mike Snyder
- David Zavac, Regional Outreach Director for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, attended on behalf of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who was unable to attend following an automobile accident the previous day.
- Chief Executive Officer at Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, Jim Evans
- President of Construction and Government Services at Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, Aaron Reisinger
- CMP Board Members: Mark Averill, Gary Cheek, Dan Durben and Mark House
- Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, Gary Anderson
- CMP Chief Programs Officer, Christie Sewell
With construction now underway, the project carries an estimated completion date of December 2027. The CMP is grateful for the continued support of its partners, stakeholders, staff, competitors, coaches and the Ohio National Guard as this project progresses. Follow along with project updates at https://thecmp.org/l/cmp-invests-in-the-future-of-marksmanship-with-camp-perry-expansion/.
About CMP’s New Expansion Project:
The CMP’s expansion will create a modern indoor venue that complements the existing air gun range while broadening the types of events Camp Perry can host. More than adding square footage, the project is a long-term investment in the future of marksmanship, providing a professional, welcoming and highly functional environment that supports athletes of all skill levels—from juniors attending their first major match to elite competitors pursuing national and international success—while ensuring Camp Perry remains the home of national-level marksmanship competition for decades to come.
Once complete, the new facility will build upon the success of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center by adding:
- a modern indoor range featuring 32 firing points capable of supporting 50- and 25-meter rifle, pistol and rimfire sporter rifle events,
- additional space for 80 air gun targets which will allow CMP to double the capacity for National Air Gun events,
- stadium seating for 400 competitors,
- expanded retail space with the inclusion of the CMP North Store,
- competitor support areas and
- both indoor and outdoor gathering spaces to serve athletes, coaches, spectators, families, sponsors and visitors.
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