In The News

New concept shooting range opens in West Chester

August 17, 2012  |  Shoot Extreme

By Hannah Poturalski

WEST CHESTER TWP. —

A new kind of shooting range — with zombies as targets — is coming to West Chester Twp. with the opening of Shoot Extreme.

Kevin Higgins, president and founder of Shoot Extreme, said the facility, located at 7773 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, offers classes covering the basics of shooting and provides challenging courses for those with more advanced skills.

In addition to four training lanes, Shoot Extreme includes two large “shoot houses” with hallways and rooms containing 17 zombie targets and “civilians” that shooters must try to avoid. An average “zombie hunt” costs $25 and includes necessary weapons, safety glasses and ammo. An introductory training class with an instructor is available for $20.

“We wanted to make (Shoot Extreme) as accessible as possible,” Higgins said. “It’s defensive, tactical shooting but fun for recreational shooters,” or those who have never shot before.

The ammunition used at Shoot Extreme is Simunition — a non-lethal, short-range training ammunition produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada Inc. The company provides realistic “force-on-force” training to officers, military forces and approved range members.

Higgins said Shoot Extreme only offers force-on-target shooting, even though Simunition can be used for force-on-force shooting. The targets — original zombies created by Higgins and staff — are computer-controlled and react by moving forward, making sounds, and falling when shot on target.

“It’s set up like a haunted house; you’re on the hunt and can shoot the monsters,” Higgins said.

The site of Shoot Extreme was a former Walgreens and housed a FitQuest gym from 2000-05 before becoming vacant, according to Barb Wilson, public information officer for West Chester Twp. Wilson said the property owner had pursued a variety of options including splitting the building into smaller units but nothing came to fruition.

“The Cincinnati-Dayton Road building being occupied by Shoot Extreme has been vacant for some time and renewed interest in the location is positive,” Wilson said. “Shoot Extreme is a unique business that adds to the long list of options available for residents.”

Higgins — a former U.S. Army infantryman for 10 years — said the business is set up to accommodate future tournaments with customized options, timers and score-keeping.

“I want to provide very accessible courses, create leagues and competitions, and make it more social recreation,” Higgins said.

Shoot Extreme is open noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Online reservations and more information are online at www.shootextreme.com.

Shoot Extreme

Where: 7773 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester Twp.

Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday

Website: www.shootextreme.com

Cost: $25 for a zombie hunt