Welcome members to another year at the Lake of the Woods Gun Club.

I believe this year will be our 64th year operating. It is hard to believe that January has passed already and the weather this year has been rather good except for this last bit of cold temps. This will be my fifth year as your President, thank you for your support.

We had a very productive year last year with the construction of the new Biathlon range, which is I believe the only International styled Biathlon range in Ontario. If you have not seen it take the opportunity to check it out, but remember this range is for Biathlon rifles only, as the targets are very costly and hard to get. Tim and his crew did a great deal of work to make it what it is, I believe that there will be an open house soon so people can see what the whole biathlon experience is about, I suggest if you get the chance to check it, do so, as it is very remarkable.

This year we have kept the roads open to all ranges except the Action Range as we were doing some repairs last fall and got froze out, so the range is closed until spring. We have been lucky to have some volunteers help with plowing and I thank them for that. This year is also our inspection year so we must keep our standards up and also do some regular maintenance, so you may see some range closures if required, but these will be kept to a minimum. As I mention every year, housekeeping is very important, picking up your brass and hulls and trying to keep any foodstuffs garbage in proper garbage cans or even take home as it does not give the wildlife any interest in our garbage cans.

Some new mandates have come into place this year for key day which will be announced very soon. First the cost of cutting keys has rose quite a bit, so this year, keys cost will be $10.00 unless you bring in your last years key then the price will remain $5.00.

It costs us just over $9.00 to cut a new key and just under $5.00 to recut an old key, we are trying to keep costs under control so can you help us out. Second if you are a pistol member and have not completed your club level safety hand gun course you will not be able to get a key until such time you have completed the course, courses can be run when the interest is enough or a single person course can be run if you contact one of the trainers.

A reminder to members, brass on the Rifle Range belongs to the rifle division and if wanted can be purchased from the Rifle Chairman at a fair market value. I also like to remind members that our website which is LWGC.ca is a wealth of information concerning all aspects of our club, from policies to club rules to events calendar, you can find almost anything you need to know.

This year our Board of Directors has been working on getting caps, crests, T shirts and sweat tops. We hope to have this information available to the membership soon.

The Liberal party announced today February 3rd, that they have withdrawn two amendments to bill C-21 they are amendments G-4 and G-46 which focused on hunting rifles and shotguns. This does not mean the battle is over, but more like a reprieve. We as shooting people must stay on top of these moves by the liberal government to protect our rights. A big thanks to all members who took the time to send letters to one or more of the members of parliament. Stay strong.

In closing I would like to thank the volunteers who show up every time there is a work party, or work that needs to be upkept. I would like to thank the Board of Directors who keep our club on a very strong and progressive course, I am very lucky to be able to work with such a great group of thinkers and doers. Lastly, I would like to thank, You, the members who make this club as great as it is. We are in uncertain times for firearm people and must stand together to remain strong.

Thank you

In solidarity Steve Zabloski President LWGC

On behalf of the Board of Directors