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Heights Archery Range shooting for 20 years

Ron Minion, general manager and part-owner of Heights Archery Range, fixes a bow at his 2281 Portage Avenue location
photo: Candace Bowles

It may not be Manitoba’s most popular sport but archery is something that has been a part of Ron Minion's life from a young age.

“I started at a Boy Scout camp where they had an archery range and I think I spent the entire week shooting arrows,” said Minion. “When I got home I convinced my parents they had to buy me a bow and to probably shut me up they bought me one.”

Minion's love for archery and hunting brought him to the decision to purchase a small business 19 years ago. What was once a bowling alley in the 1960’s is now the Heights Archery Range located in the basement at 2281 Portage Avenue. “It was kinda fun and I needed a job,” he said.

Minion is one of the two full-time staff and they have six part-time staff. He spends up to 70 hours a week at the store and his hard work has paid off. What once started out as a small local business for Minion is now one of the largest archery inventory stores in all of Canada.

The store not only sells all types of archery equipment including bows and arrows but it sells hunting equipment and clothing.

Throughout the years, Ron has also helped coach 2008 Beijing Olympian Archer Jay Lyon. “He lived here [at the store] for a long time and when he started we weren’t quite sure he would be a natural but he worked really hard and got really good.”

But you don’t have to be a pro like Lyon to come and use the facilities. The store offers lessons to beginners at $70 for a 10-week lesson. That includes lessons on Saturday mornings or Monday nights as well as all the equipment needed along with an instructor.

Heights Archery Range also hosts birthday parties and gives you a chance to do glow-in-the-dark archery. If you would like to book lessons or find out more about the store you can give Ron a call at 832-4421.

Comments

Avatar 1Jul 17th 2009, 08:08 Diane Minion
Great Article, but Ron's last name is Minion!

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