The first phase of the new shooting range at Ta’ Kandja, which is set to host the World Cup in two months’ time, is fast taking shape.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clifton Grima on Wednesday morning visited the facility together with Malta Shooting Federation officials and renowned Maltese shooter William Chetcuti.

Costing €10 million, the first phase has a footprint equivalent to 26 football pitches and will comprise facilities hosting trap, double-trap and skeet competitions. Moreover, the range can be used also for compact shooting.

The range is equipped with a retractable 20-metre gigantic mesh similar to that used at the London 2012 Olympics. This structure is a safety measure meant to contain the lead pellets used during competitions within the perimeter of the range.

Malta will host the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in June..

The entire facility at Ta' Kandja was designed to make it possible to recover lead pellets used, thus avoiding any harm to the water table. Furthermore, runoff water will be channelled to a large reservoir.

Dr Grima noted that acoustic and ballistic studies on the second phase of the shooting range which will be used by disciplined forces are still underway.

Asked about the proximity of the facility to the Malta International Airport Runway, architect Claude Mallia noted that in the case of lead pellets there was no risk, as that kind of projectile had a very short range. Mr Mallia is supervising the project.

However, studies are being carried out in relation to the second phase, which will comprise firearms shooting range facilities using bullets. Dr Grima noted that at present there were already two similar facilities within the police academy.

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