WSRC No Shooting Until Further Notice - IDNR Announcement 12:14 PM 4/4/16

By Phone call to IDNR 4/4/16

12:14 PM

From the IDNR / WSRC :

"Until further notice there is no shooting available on site." I called the IDNR to confirm what the OP. What would the IDNR know about their own facility?

12:51 PM double checking direct conversation with Monica Brackman.

As per Monica Brackman, Director IDNR, there have been no agreements between the ATA and the IDNR beyond the MOU.

 

The HELL you say ..? Back burner the idea of a kool aid stand in Sparta, again ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Looks like Moaning Monica says nothing but Kool Aid until further notice. Embarrassment. These guys got no where to go. CC has bigger things?

 

As the deadline aproaches (4/15/16) the haze gets thicker, by the middle of this month a full blown fog will encompas the WSRC grounds.

 

Give the ATA a break. They are trying to make some people believe everything is going in a fantastic direction.

I called the IDNR myself....not Brackman and got the same message that there is no shooting available until further notice. I am guessing it wont be on a Facebook page. lol

 

You can call this number

(618) 295-2700

 

But,But,But the other guys said it will open. Not a problem.

 

Surely there must be some mistake, the State of Illinois obviously has no idea that they have a shoot coming up and they are not going to be ready to accommodate the enormous crowds ... Wouldn't you know it and in this the Year of the "Fanasstastic Direction" getting ready to take hold and bowl them over ... The HOF building will be standing room only as the line stretches out the door, oh what a night ... I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about any of this from where I am sitting ... New saying: "Build it and see what happens" ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I decided to call the number.

Got the message at the end....

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THERE IS NO SHOOTING OR CAMPING ON THIS SITE.

I had a hard time believing what I was hearing but got it direct from the WSRC......Sad if this continues.

 

The ATA is taking reservations as if everything has been negotiated and is a done deal ... The art of deception reigns supreme obviously but then again they might just be telling the people from Americantrapshooting.com this to confuse everyone, while everyone else knows the real story ... The Sparta residents are all loaded up and ready, been dancing in the streets telling everyone how the ATA, Sparta, IDNR, State of Illinois Haters are all PO"ed about the shooting having resumed at the facility ... There is obviously a lack of communication, deception, not knowing, or uncertainty looming on the horizon and the State/ IDNR, ot ATA doesn't know what is going on for sure or not for sure ... No response to any E Mails requesting information to confirm or deny existence of the place or any shoots on schedule for the calendar year ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Well, they've been trying to rope in the vendors to sign 5 year leases. I know one major one that said no way. If the turnout drops even more they will re-evaluate their commitment and at best reduce their exposure. That $1,700 site yearly real estate tax on their building is not going over and hurts their bottom line. Heck, that's probably more than the real estate tax on any homes in the surrounding area!

 

Might need to try a new phone number.....

http://www.gssfonline.com/results/2016/2016sil.pdf

 

FEATURED
World Shooting and Recreational Complex reopens to shooters, with limits
Shooting portion of facility reopens for organized groups and events



World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta.



SPARTA — For the first time in nearly seven months, the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta is holding shooting events.

The facility was closed in September by Gov. Bruce Rauner as the result of the state's budget impasse. The first shooting event was Saturday.

Chris Young, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was quick to point out this isn’t a total reopening of the facility. The shooting areas are being reopened on a limited basis.

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“At this time, the World Shooting and Recreational Complex is allowing organized groups and events to use the shooting portion of the facility,” Young said in a Monday email. “Organized groups that have signed an agreement with the WSRC will be able to shoot.”

The limited reopening has been in the works for some time.

“The decision to reopen the WSRC for shooting events came as a part of ongoing negotiations between the Amateur Trapshooting Association and IDNR,” said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton. “As you know, the ATA announced in January that they had signed a memorandum of understanding with IDNR to keep the Grand American in Sparta for 2016, with details to be announced following the April 15 deadline that the memorandum of understanding set.

The memorandum of understanding provided the impetus for IDNR to work toward reopening the shooting aspect of the facility for organized events.

The Grand American generates $10 million to $12 million for Southern Illinois.




The Scholastic Clay Target Program has already announced it will be moving its collegiate shoot to Ohio this summer.

“I think they felt, there are certain things if you lose, you don’t get back,” said state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. “I think it convinced the governor that this is one of those facilities that is huge for the area. If you leave it closed all year, you may not get it back. It’s not like it is temporary, it would be long-lasting. The ATA agreed they would keep it running until the state got a budget.

“We convinced the governor, I talked to the (IDNR) director (Wayne Rosenthal) about this. He agreed it’s not something you put on hold and when you reopen it is the same as it was before. That’s not the case. He agreed that the ATA will run that for a period of time.”

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ATA director: Tentative agreement could keep Grand American at Sparta's shooting complex
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The reopening, even a limited one, is welcome news in Sparta.

“Absolutely,” said Sparta City Manager Corey Rheinecker. “It will be wonderful to get that as a draw again, to get the interest sparked again in the area. We haven’t really seen it directly with the sales tax yet, but moving into June and July if the shooting events aren’t open and bringing people to the area we’ll see a direct impact.”

The city had been keeping a wary eye on the WSRC, particularly the defection of the SCTP shoot.

“That’s always a concern,” Rheinecker said. “After this summer we’re worried this will have a repeat of last year. We’re moving close to nine months without the budget. It’s a huge concern to us. Sparta does have a pretty good investment out there. If it pulls away, we’re still left with our investment.”

Those interested in hosting an organized event should call 618-295-2700 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Wow, check out the crowd, there must be a hundred people there if there is one ... The place is packed ... LOL .... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

You would think they would be broadcasting it and shouting from the highest Mountains if the grand was going to happen, so those who are going to attend would know what is going on ... There does not seem to be anything to confirm what is going on or what isn't going on for that matter ... Monica Brackman, IDNR, WSRC, as well as none of the residents of Sparta seem to know whats going on ( yes, that is an under statement ), but you know what I mean ... I guess its wait until the 15th (04-15-16) or after the negotiations are concluded and agreed upon for them to let every one know and so the "Glock " guy can get off of the grounds and not make any waves ... I have sent out several E Mails asking what is going on and nothing has been responded to with the exception of Monica saying they have an MOU ... I hope they can pull it off with out making to many of the membership upset over what ever costs its going to take to entertain those who attend ... That cost should be divided equally on a per event basis for all in attendance , besides donations and advertising for the program and from all of the vendors ... Hope to see you all there, it won't be long now ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

It’s not like it is temporary, it would be long-lasting. The ATA agreed they would keep it running until the state got a budget.

Huh, there went the April 15th negotiations ???

I'm confused.