After the formal dedication this past July, the new Nishu Bowmen indoor archery range in Bismarck is taking shape.

The club hosted the Game and Fish Department regional advisory board meeting Wednesday, showcasing the new facility for those not familiar with the group.

Steve Arnold, president of the club, said an indoor range has been an ongoing dream of the club for the 50-plus years of its existence, but really got off the ground about three years ago.

"It's always been a Nishu dream," Arnold said, "and it's been our No. 1 focus for the past five years."

Arnold said the club is in the third year of a five-year plan to make the facility a state-of-the-art archery complex.

The new complex, located along the Fox Island Road, has been a cooperative effort between the club, the Game and Fish Department, and Bismarck Parks and Recreation.

Arnold said Game and Fish helped finance the launch of the project through grants, and the Parks and Recreation Department, which owns the land, assisted with in-kind work, providing sidewalks, fencing and outdoor lighting, sewer and water, and the parking lot.

Member contributions and gifts helped put the club in the financial position to get the project off the ground.

Arnold said members did the lion's share of the "grunt work," providing the muscle after the walls were up.

"Our board and our members were just awesome," he said.

The lower level of the 90-foot-by-150-foot building will be used for 3-D shooting, while and upper level has room for 12 to 14 shooting lanes in a 20-yard target range.

With the two outdoor ranges behind the complex, board member Kevin Jensen said Nishu will be able to host almost any state or regional event.

The club has about 250 members right now and Arnold says one of his goals is to see that number top 300.

The club will begin offering winter leagues for adults and children after the first of the year.

The club is open for public shooting from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, visit the Nishu Web site at http://nishubowmen.com.

(Reach reporter Brian Gehring 250-8254 or brian.gehring@;bismarcktribune.com.)