UMATILLA, Ore.—Union members, archers, and community members gathered on August 1 at McNary Beach to celebrate the grand opening and dedication of a brand-new public archery range overlooking the Columbia River. Organized in partnership with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Walla Walla District), the Mid-Columbia Archers, and local union groups, the project restores critical recreational access lost nearly a decade ago.
The new facility addresses a long-standing void left in 2016 when the local bowhunters association disbanded and lost its range lease. Project lead Travis Swayze—a fourth-generation union member, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 112 Business Representative, and USA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year—partnered with the Army Corps to secure the high-bluff site directly above McNary Beach.
“There was a real need for the local archery community,” said Swayze.
The new archery range features a newly installed access road, gravel parking lot, safety boulders, buck-and-pole fencing, and a concrete shooting platform. The platform is flanked by two Conex storage containers that accommodate target distances extending out to 100 yards, and it features a target at 70 meters, which is the official distance for Olympic archery. Those containers came in handy at the grand opening.
Despite 25 mph winds, around 80 archery enthusiasts turned out to test the range. The facility’s unique layout and storage containers successfully sheltered them from the elements, reducing strong gusts to a mild breeze over the shooting pad while setting the stage for a final pergola structure to be completed in the coming months.
Funds for the project were raised through the USA’s annual Tri-Cities Conservation Dinner, with key land access and support provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. Union tradespeople from across the region contributed volunteer labor, with participation from the Central Washington and Pendleton Building Trades, including members of IBEW, Laborers, Cement Masons, Painters, and Pipefitters.
“Union members brought their skills together to build a range for hunters and archers in neighboring communities that we can use for generations,” Swayze added. “Testing it out on a windy day showed us that the design works just as intended.”
“Travis breathes and bleeds the outdoors. It’s incredible,” said USA Conservation Dinner Manager Eric Bakken. “It’s in his blood. You can see it.”
The new facility will serve Hermiston, Umatilla, and surrounding towns. Community members interested in getting involved or supporting future union conservation efforts are invited to attend the upcoming Tri-Cities Conservation Dinner on December 5, 2026.
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.
Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.
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