A New Space for Sport
Mike Sigman, Electrical Engineer and Office Manager
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks completed a major investment in outdoor education and shooting sports with the new Pete Lien Shooting Complex north of Rapid City. Located about 10 miles up Elk Vale Road on a 400 acre site, the facility became one of the largest public shooting ranges in the nation, offering space for recreational shooters, competitive marksmen, hunter education programs, and law enforcement agencies.
The complex included shooting bays at 50, 100, and 300 yards, long range areas reaching 1,200 yards, and dedicated training zones for law enforcement qualification. Across the site, users gained access to competition grade rifle ranges, a full trap course, and a modern archery complex designed for both beginners and experienced shooters.
At the center of the project stands a new 20,000 square foot multipurpose Hunter Education Building facility featuring education spaces, food service, and flexible gathering areas. As part of the larger $22 million development, the project also delivered several smaller range structures and outbuildings.
Designing MEP systems for the complex required solutions built around the realities of a large, spread-out facility located far outside municipal infrastructure. The remote 400 acre site, the building types, and the mix of indoor/outdoor training spaces all drove the decision-making process behind the mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems.
Game, Fish & Parks sought a facility that aligned with their broader conservation initiatives across the state. To support these goals, the Hunter Education Building incorporates a highly efficient geothermal heating and cooling system, reducing environmental impact while lowering future operating costs. Plumbing systems were kept intentionally simple by supplying only what was necessary for restrooms and the building to minimize complexity and long-term maintenance. Electrical distribution was designed to serve a large site with multiple independent range areas, delivering power where needed while utilizing LED lighting for efficiency, visibility, and reduced upkeep. Together, these MEP design choices balance budget, durability, code compliance, and the challenges of constructing a high performance facility well outside municipal utility limits.
Mike Sigman, PE, Electrical Engineer & Office Manager, Rapid City
Mike Sigman is an Electrical Engineer and manager of the Rapid City office of WPE. He has been with the firm more than 27 years, and was both the Project Manager and Lead Electrical Engineer for the shooting complex.
