By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–After being closed for more than a year due to the Colonial Pipeline gas leak in September of 2016, an improved Cahaba Wildlife Management Area public shooting range is finally set to reopen to the public after much cleanup and needed improvements were made.

The range, which is located off Shelby County 91 near Helena, will be hosting a grand reopening ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.

After spill remediation was complete, improvements were made to the range to improve the experience for those that will visit the range.

The site will offer visitors improvements to the existing 100-yard range and the addition of 25-yard and 50-yard ranges. Improvements to the existing 100-yard range will include a concrete walkway and a covered concrete shooting shelter with benches.

The 100-yard range will have six stations, and the 25-yard and 50-yard ranges, which are adjacent to each other, will have a combined 10 stations with a shelter and benches.

A new gravel parking lot will be installed to serve both ranges and will include handicap accessible parking. A shotgun range for shooting at clay targets is located east of the rifle range and is on the left side of the gravel road.

After the grand opening on Dec. 7, the range will be staffed and have regular scheduled hours. The exact times for the re-opening will be listed soon.

A valid hunting, heritage, fishing, or WMA license is required for all shooting range users between the ages of 16-64. A license may be purchased online, by calling 1-888-848-6887 or by visiting a retail vendor in the community.

The range is located on Coalmont Road, approximately 10 minutes southwest of Helena.

For more information, visit Outdooralabama.com/cahaba-river-wma-shooting-range.