WSRC Strategic Plan - World Shooting and Recreational Complex - planning report

This is just a small portion: You can find the complete report online.

WORLD SHOOTING & RECREATIONAL COMPLEX
STRATEGIC PLANNING REPORT
AUGUST 2019

Strategic Goal # 1
Adopt a business strategy for management and operations
After enduring the state budget impasse, it became very evident that WSRC needed to take a “business approach” to survive. Reduction of state funding for operations and aging infrastructure are two areas that need immediate attention. Therefore, a number of action items were created to accomplish this goal.
Action # 1: Create a comprehensive marketing plan to include the following actions:
• Develop a facility/event marketing strategy for surrounding counties
• Develop a regional marketing task force
• Pursue free marketing opportunities including social media
• Engage Chambers of Commerce
• Include familiarization tour (Governor and other influencers)
• Include a direct link to the IDNR calendar (website coordination)
• Develop search engine optimization strategies
• Identify and partner with shooting-focused groups for marketing (e.g., Lindenwood University shooting team)
• Create a regional activities welcome packet
• Raise awareness of current public shooting activities to change perception from “shut down” to open for business
• Utilize southern Illinois tourism
Action # 2: Develop diversified and sustainable funding
Action # 3: Improve existing infrastructure to enhance ease of access to location

 

Good Luck

 

It always looks good on paper doesn't?

There is probably a copy of the first year's propaganda laying around someplace. That looked good back then too.

Well, it looked good for the four or five guys that live near that outpost anyway. To the 2000 that haven't shown up since the move?

It looked and smelled like crap. Good thing we didn't step in it.

 

Doesn't look good on paper to me. Sounds like they are in trouble and are a bunch of old men saying "we need to be on the internet! That will save us! Quick, hire some young uns to do it for us."
Maybe they can take out a twitter account and post provocative things. Works for some.
I agree with Brad, good luck.
Maybe it will fall from its own weight and the CC will take over by default.
Jake

 

I tried to post a copy of the entire report but it's a pdf file and admin yanked it. It's 30 pages long.

Prepared for
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
by
World Shooting & Recreational Complex Task Force
in partnership with
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Presented August 5, 2019

TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Bob Appleman
IDNR
Patsie Hopkins
Former State Representative Costello’s Office
Marc Silverman
Friends of the WSRC
Deborah Barnett
SIU – Economic Development
Scott Ishman
SIU – College of Science
Neal Smith
Little Egypt Golf Carts
Randy Berterro
Former Mayor of Sparta
Marc Kiehna
Randolph County Commissioner
Zach Snow
National Shooting Sports Foundation
Sharon Blackwell
Sparta Chamber of Commerce
Bobby Klausing
Sparta Commissioner
Karen Stallman
SIU – Community Relations
Kevin Blosser
Sparta Center, Admiral Parkway, Inc.
Dan Krankeola
ILLINOISouth Tourism
Gretchen Steele
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Monica Brackman
WSRC Executive Director
Lynn Andersen Lindberg
SIU – Economic Development
Ryan Stehl
IDNR
Mark Brown
IDNR
Bill Opel
Friends of the WSRC
Mickey Stewart
The Great Outdoors Company
Scott Bryant
Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources (IFOR)
Logan Park
SIU – Forestry
Debra Sutter
Sparta Chamber of Commerce
Brad Carlson
IDNR
Ed Pautler
OKAW Valley Beagle Club
Mary Jo Trimble
IL Fed. For Outdoor Resources, FTCI
Bart Carson
WSRC Shoot Manager
Nathan Reitz
Illinois State Representative
Terry Waldron
Trapshooting Hall of Fame, Director
Janelle Chapman
Pepsi MidAmerica
Corey Rheinecker
Sparta City Manager
Andy Waterman
ILLINOISouth Tourism
Mike Eichholz
SIU – Zoology
Charles Ruffner
SIU – Forestry
Jon Weatherford
WSRC Seasons Event Center
Joann Emge
Sparta Community Hospital, CEO
Doug Sachtleben
Randolph County Assessor
Jon Weaving
ILLINOISouth Tourism
John Evans
Retired IDNR
Paul Schimpf
Illinois State Senator
Jerry Willis
County Journal
Lynn Gipson
Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA)
Jason Schlimme
Mayor of Sparta
Kathy Wills
Senator Schimpf’s Office
Carl Handel
IDNR
Stephanie Schroeder
Retrievers Unlimited HRC
Emily Zollner
Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA)
Kyle Harfst
SIU – Economic Development
Dan Siegler
Zander’s Sporting

 

Like the Zen Master said
We'll See

I wonder why they included this bullet point
• Raise awareness of current public shooting activities to change perception from “shut down” to open for business
Why would anyone think the place would or was, shut down?

That could never happen AGAIN, could it?

Damn straight it could and they know it. They are going to end up behind the eight ball again. Mr. Fishburn isn't stupid. You don't get to be in his position without thinking ahead. The guys running that circus aren't about to tell the "membership" that. The propaganda machine just keeps smiling and tell anyone that doesn't know better that the place is going in a "fantastic" direction.

Like I said before, the Captains of the Titanic and Exxon Valdez thought the same thing.

Good Luck!

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Located near Sparta, Illinois, the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) is a unique, 1,600-acre site located in southwestern Illinois and is less than 50 miles from St. Louis, MO. The complex is open for public use, shooting events, and other organized activities. Thousands of visitors from throughout the world visit the complex each year, contributing to the regional economy and serving as a premier destination for both shooting and non-shooting guests.
A Task Force met for more than a year to engage in strategic planning for the Complex’s facilities and recreational uses. These stakeholders developed vision and mission statements as well as identified strategic goals for the next 12-15 months. The results of the strategic planning process are summarized in this report and also incorporate SIUC students’ marketing research and public input.
• Adopt a Business Strategy for Management and Operations
• Create and Diversify Year-Round Full-Time Shooting Opportunities
• Develop Non-Shooting Recreational Interests
• Provide Additional Education Experiences
• Expand Entertainment and Event Activities
Strategic goals provide the framework for developing measurable objectives and implementing tasks that get the work done. One of the primary challenges at the WSRC is the lack of consistent funding for key operations including infrastructure, marketing, and staffing. Results from the Strategic Planning Task Force, public input, and marketing analysis conclude that the WSRC is a unique complex that holds great potential for increased economic opportunities. To capitalize on these opportunities, a business approach to the Complex’s operations, combined with expansion of both shooting and non-shooting events, was cited as critical to its advancement.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Illinois State Senator Paul Schimpf for his dedication to the people of the 58th District. Thanks also to Interim SIUC Chancellor John M. Dunn for his commitment to continuously improving the region. Without their leadership, this project would not have come to fruition.
Photos and Images
Friends of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Lynn Gipson (ATA), and Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
Content and Editing
World Shooting and Recreational Complex Strategic Planning Task Force
Monica Brackman (WSRC), Lynn Gipson (ATA), Gretchen Steele, and Mickey Stewart
SIU Carbondale:

 

I see Gipson's name on there but I don't see his other company

Getsome Reality

 

AND ONE MORE:

 

First of all I was really impressed with the level of Trap Shooting and Gun Club management experience I see in the assembled group. That alone should save Sparta. Nothing lacking there.

Unfortunately putting a group like this together must be being taught in business schools because I've seen this approach a lot in small towns and local governments. Our county only has 19,000 people in it and the local economic development is always putting together a group (the current one is the vision group) that will revitalize our small county. There current idea is If they can only raise a million dollars they can attract the next big business to the county. Never mind that the current employers can't find enough employees, and most of the unemployed around here can't pass a drug test anyhow.

No Sparta's problem was told back in 2003 when the first ATA group got together. Location, Location, Location. A place in the middle of nowhere, in the most anti gun state in the Midwest, far away from its customer base is the problem. The answer has always been there and still is no matter how you spin it or how many groups you get to look at even if the EC doesn't like to hear it.

 

Maybe . . . just maybe . . . . an ATA Vice President is paying attention to the warning signs and attempted to insure the Grand American tournament would be held during his presidency.

Maybe Mr. Fishburn was asked to submit a proposal to the Executive Committee along with upgrades at the Cardinal Center (additional trap fields, additional camp sites, etc.) whereby providing the ATA with a contingency plan. It's reported that he and his tournament guys flew to Sparta for a meeting during the Grand.

As Mr. Dysinger stated, the shortcomings of the WSRC were known well before the vote to relocate to Sparta. Red flags were raised when the ATA polled its members. Location being a top issue. A red flag was raised regarding the Illinois gun laws. Past President Arvas continued to focus on this very issue in the ATA minutes. All the reasons why not to relocate to the current location were ignored by ATA leadership.

The ATA had appropriate criteria for relocation, however, they lowered their long established standards (used since 1924) and made the decision to move, knowing the troubling issues.

Maybe one of our leaders identified some potential trouble on the horizon and is paying attention to details.

Perhaps a decision maker searched the population of Randolph County, Illinois and saw a trend. And, with all the other negative indicators, made the decision to attempt to secure a contingency plan by contacting Mr. Fishburn.

​

The World Shooting & Recreational Complex has made attempts to attract visitors since it opened its gates. Weddings, class reunions, concerts, shooting sports, year round restaurant, etc.. have not helped improve its sustainability. The Complex faces greater challenges in the future as a result of a declining population.

It's nice to think that maybe someone in the ATA is paying attention and thinking of the future.

I'm probably wrong though.

 

AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

 

Heck ..... there are more people trying to save the place, than shoot there to support it .....

They build a shooting "complex" ..... then put this ..... "Develop Non-Shooting Recreational Interests" ..... in their pipe-dream "business approach to survive" .....

Who would have ever guessed the ATA's "60,000 member fantastic direction" would not support the "World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC)" .....

They forgot to add Elon Musk ..... He may show them the secret way to always produce red ink and "survive" .....

 

They're ignorant, but they sure are arrogant.

Maybe when they get everything worked out at Sparta, they'll come over and teach Mr. Fishburn how to do it.

 

Prepared for
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
by
World Shooting & Recreational Complex Task Force
in partnership with
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Presented August 5, 2019 ....

The Biggest problem is they fail to see the real problem which was, is, and will continue to be location (LOCATION) until they get the hell out of Sparta, Ill or Illinois totally and completely for that matter ... The additional "Task Force Members" will not, have not, and will never be able to draw the crowds again because of the lacking of services in and around the general area of the facility ... They built what is considered by some (very few)to be the absolute best and most up to date facility in the middle of no place, Illinois and that is the PROBLEM, not the facility itself but the location of same ... They said build it, they will come except they failed to tell anyone where it is ... The Shooters who have ventured to the WSRC were less than impressed on many occasions so they will not be coming back for what ever reason, it does not matter ... You cannot have a big shoot if you do not have a gathering of a lot of shooters, vendors, etc because they are what makes the shoots big, little, successful or not at all ... Professing to have things headed in a "Fantastic Direction" is like spitting into the wind or pissing into the wind, all you are going to do is get wet ... The State of Illinois realizes they made a mistake, now its up to the ATA to realize they did also which is evidenced and confirmed by the lacking in attendance over the years since the relocation ... The WSRC was supposed to put Sparta on the map, well folks it didn't happen and it is not going to get any better any time soon or later for that matter ... There are more and more members losing respect for those in charge of operations and the functions on the Association, that will be part of the factor that will keep them from being a strong Organization like it once was ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

You all realize don't you that for pointing these issues out, we risk being called haters and non-supporters.

But somebody has to help point out the issues since the Board of Directors are asleep.

I noticed that the "Task Force" overlooked an important factor mentioned in an above post.

LOCATION . . . . . LOCATION . . . . . LOCATION !!

 

Great time to come up with a business plan. 10 years after you start!!!

 

Illinois DOES NOT HATE guns!
Illinois is NOT 6 BILLION Dollars in DEBT!
SPARTA FOREVER!

 

Columbus I think what you have uncovered on this thread is maybe a lot more important than we realize. I would like to know how many of those mentioned are ATA members, and when has saving Sparta become the central goal of the ATA.

I thought the ATA's mandate was to promote trap shooting, but when you read the goals of this group the Promotion of Trap Shooting seems limited to what is good for SPARTA, no where else.

 

Absolutely, nothing in the Vision statements or Action plans do anything but try to make the WSRC viable.

 

They can't leave after they charged ALL the members for the horse barn.

Remember the$250,000.00 they gave to start with ?

And this year with over $30,000.00 DONATIONS by the shooters at the Grand ?

Gouged the members so they could support that STATE owned building for sure.

Take a good look at my avatar, the ORIGINAL Logo of the Trapshooting Hall of fame before SOMEONE changed it, and put ATA in the middle replacing the 1969.