PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) -- The shooting range complex that the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has under construction east of Rapid City will cost $20 million when it's completed next fall, according to the department's secretary. Kevin Robling met Thursday with the Legislature's Appropriations Committee to talk about the project located in southern Meade County nine miles north of the Flying J truck stop on Interstate 90. "This will be a destination for recreational shooters across the nation," Robling said. He volunteered that the project received a $13.5 million Future Fund grant from Governor Kristi Noem in April. No one asked a follow-up on that point. The department paid $900,000 for the 400-acre site. Two years ago, the governor and Robling wanted lawmakers two years ago to fund a version of the range that was to cost millions of dollars less but were repeatedly told no. So a fundraiser was hired. Robling said Thursday that approximately $6.5 million has come from donors to help pay for construction. The Appropriations Committee's co-chairs, Republican Rep. Mike Derby and Republican Sen. Jean Hunhoff, toured the site on Monday. They told the other appropriators on Thursday that they came away impressed. Robling said the complex will be designated as a state game-production area, which means the department will pay local property taxes. He said the operations plan calls for three full-time employees, some seasonal help "and a lot of volunteer employees." Thousands of dollars in damage in Thursday morning ‘crash spree’ The department doesn't plan to ask the appropriators for any additional staff, according to Robling. "We're going to re-purpose employees within (the department,)" he said. When operational, the complex is projected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 visitors annually and bring in $200,000 to $250,000, while operating on a budget of about $300,000. Robling said the department plans to use federal Pittman-Robertson excise tax revenues to help cover the difference. Two western states, Colorado and Arizona, have similar public complexes and Wyoming is looking at building one, according to Robling. Republican Rep. Chris Karr raised doubts about whether three full-time staff could run the site, based on his experience as a member of the privately owned Hunters Pointe shooting complex at Hartford. Karr also questioned the department's authority to proceed with the complex. Robling said it's been on the capital projects lists that the department has submitted to appropriators each of the past three legislative sessions. Karr said he didn't remember seeing it. "I think the future members (of the committee) should keep an eye on what this is going to look like," Karr said.