WILTON — The Wilton Fish & Game Association recently received an $8,292 grant from the National Rifle Association Foundation for drilling a well and installing a public restroom.

The local fish and game association wanted to sponsor more adult and youth programs so they applied for the grant to help make the improvements.

Work has started with the well being drilled at the facility. Two trees will be taken down for the safety of the building.

Members are busy remodeling the existing kitchen with donated kitchen cabinets, a new ceiling and countertops, and they hope to redo the flooring. Money is being raised for the countertop and flooring. Two sinks will be added to accommodate future public functions.

The association bought 12-plus pieces of land abutting the original acreage in mid-2011. An archery range is being established with a 15-foot tree stand donated by a member. Plans are underway to open up some of this property and add shooting pads that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Public programs have been improved over the past several years.

The annual ice fishing derby on Wilson Lake has offered a youth fishing program called “Hooked on Fishing,” instructed by Emily McCabe from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

This summer a new program called the “Androscoggin River Two Dam Fishing Derby” is being offered to the public with youth categories for the heaviest fish.

This past winter, the Ice Out Contest was brought back after several years of nonexistence. Funds raised are being used for the upgrading of the clubhouse kitchen.

Over the years, the association has conducted many hunter safety courses and NRA-sanctioned Home Protection Courses. They have also assisted the Boy Scouts in achieving merit badges for shooting.

A sporting clay shooting course with electric trap machine is operational and open to the public on Mondays (weather permitting) at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call Charlie at 462-6792.

The indoor range is a six-station, 50-foot range with retrievable targets. Upgraded exhaust fans have recently been added and, in 2012, the stations were rebuilt.

In 2009, a considerable amount of work was done to the outdoor facility.

Many programs are offered to the public, including the shooting gallery, cowboy shoot, concealed pistol courses and more. A Youth League was established in 2010. They have established a food service booth for fundraising during many of the association’s events.

Membership is always open. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the facility on Route 2. For more information, call Phil at 897-3027.