The Kapuskasing Rod and Club was founded in 1929 and received its provincial charter in 1931. During the 1950’s, when club membership had reached approximately 200 members, the original clubhouse was torn and a new one with a concrete-block basement accommodating an indoor range. The range is mostly used by the club’s handgun section, but it can also be used for handgun-caliber rifles. In the early 1960’s, the club built an outdoor range with butts at 50, 100, 200 and 300 yards, and a trap house was installed as well. This outdoor range was used for about a decade, at which time the town of Kapuskasing expanded its boundaries. Because the range was within the new town limits, it was forced to close.

The clubhouse has undergone extensive renovations over the last seven years: Lorne Siple was instrumental in securing funding from the Trillium Foundation and the Northern Heritage Foundation, which paid for new roofing, siding, and interior renovations. Andy Benoit ensured that the indoor range was brought into conformity with CFO standards.

Of course the Kapuskasing Rod and Gun Club is involved in other activities besides firearms. Lloyd Newton has been leading the club’s fish restocking program, coordinating with the Ministry of Natural Resources to bring area lakes up to sustainable levels. The club has also undertaken the cleanup of Kapuskasing’s Gough Creek, with the hope that of walleye will once again use the creek as a spawning ground.

Although its numbers have declined over the years to 85 members, the Kapuskasing Rod and Gun Club is clearly still quite active and making a positive and significant contribution to the local community.

Kapuskasing Rod and Gun Club Executive 2008

President: I. Stevenson
Vice President: J. Hickey
Range Master and 2nd Vice President: A. Benoit
Treasurer: L. Benoit
Secretary: R. Bartlet
Trustees: L. Siple, E Chartrand
Directors: L. Benson, D. Benson, J. Lauzon, R. Spencer, I. Tees, J.C. Godard

The club holds meeting on the last Thursday of every month; there are no meetings in July, August or December.