Illinois might want someone else to have Sparta’s WSRC - SALE?

This from Illinois Outdoor News


State may put World Shooting Complex on the open market

DNR said to have ‘appetite’ for discussion about future of facility

By Travis Lott

The County Journal

Sparta, Ill. — Southern Illinois lawmakers are exploring an option that would drastically alter operation of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta.

State Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud, and State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, confirmed that they are in talks with leaders from DNR about drafting legislation that would allow the complex to be sold to private owners.

The World Shooting and Recreational Complex, located north of Sparta, was opened in 2006 after it was built by the state as the new home for the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s Grand American Trapshooting Championships, which had previously been held in Ohio.

The complex is operated by DNR, which holds contracts with the ATA, vendors and others who use the property.

Both legislators cautioned that this idea is in its earliest stages, and the public should not expect a sale for quite some time, if it comes to pass at all.

“We are in the infancy of conversations about this,” Bryant said.

“DNR has said (they) have an appetite for conversations about this.”

Privatization of the shooting complex is something that has been discussed for years, primarily at the local level and within the shooting sports community.

That sentiment reached a new level in 2015 when, during a budget dispute between former Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-led legislature, the complex was briefly closed, and the future of its shooting events were thrown into question. Friess said he introduced a bill during the last legislative session to sell the complex.

However, he admitted the way in which he went about it may have been a bit hasty.

“I got a call from DNR within a day or two asking what we were doing,” Friess said. “I was a freshman legislator. I probably should have reached out to DNR.”

Friess said he personally believes the complex would be better utilized by a private company, one that could plan more shooting and non-shooting events, such as concerts and conventions.

Bryant echoed that statement.

“I would like to see a private entity own it rather than the state,” Bryant said. “(The complex) is always at the mercy of having a (state) budget.”

She added that the facility and its events, which are vitally important to the local economy, are subject to changes brought on by political posturing.

Bryant said that lawmakers have been approached by several groups of interested parties.

“There’s a lot of interest in it,” Bryant said. “The interest is from the shooting sports community.”

Both legislators want to see the complex remain a shooting facility and the home of the Grand American, something that could be stipulated in the sale contract.

Friess explained that, if this plan moves forward, DNR would first have to decide how much of the property would be sold. There are many elements at play, such as the traplines, buildings, lakes and campgrounds.

Additionally, the complex is the home of the Trapshooting Hall of Fame, which was not constructed by the state, but rather by donations from the shooting community and ATA membership.


The state-owned World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta consists of 1,600 acres and 120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles. It has two sporting clays courses and 24 combination trap/skeet fields. Southern Illinois lawmakers say DNR may be interested in selling the site to a private company, emphasizing that talks are very preliminary. Photo courtesy of DNR

The sale would have to be approved by legislation.

Bryant said that if legislation passes in both chambers, the state would enter a process to determine what the sale of the complex would look like, and it would have to be put out for bids throughout the state.

Legislators, the governor’s staff, and DNR would hold conversations to determine the parameters of a bidding process. The bidding would lay out what property is up for bid and what a buyer could or couldn’t do with the complex, such as requiring that it be operated as a shooting facility and maintaining its contracts with the ATA.

On Jan. 13, the ATA informed its membership of a potential sale via the following statement posted on its website:

“Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials notified Amateur Trapshooting Association officials that legislation could be introduced in the upcoming session that would give the DNR the authority to offer many state properties for bid, possibly to include the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta, Illinois. If DNR decides to offer the WSRC for bid, the process of creating a bid package will take many months if not years.

“The current period of the lease agreement between the ATA and DNR for the use of the facility will continue through 2026 and will be honored and very possibly extended no matter who owns the property.”

Lynn Gipson, executive director of the ATA, said in an interview that it is his hope that the organization can remain in Sparta no matter what changes take place.

“We want the facility to remain a shooting facility and home of the Grand American,” Gipson said. “It’s the greatest place in the world to shoot, and we have an excellent relationship with DNR.”

Gipson said that since moving to Sparta, the Grand American was held outside the shooting complex only one time, and that was by necessity.

In 2021, it took place in Linn Creek, Missouri, after the state denied the ATA access to the facility amid restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gipson said the proposed sale of the complex will be a topic of discussion when it comes to negotiating the ATA’s contract in Sparta beyond 2026.

“We want some long-term security,” Gipson said.

Bryant said that no decision would be made without the express approval of Gipson and the ATA.

“We will all be on the same page, and we won’t file a piece of legislation that isn’t looked at and approved by the ATA,” Bryant said.

As for the city of Sparta, there are more questions that will have to be answered.

Sparta city manager Corey Rheinecker said the city would not necessarily be opposed to private ownership, but Sparta is still owed money by the state for bonds issued in 2003 to pay for water and sewer lines that were laid to the complex.

The original bonds were issued for $8.5 million, but the total amount on those bonds will likely be around $10 million by the time they are paid off.

Rheinecker said the city still has five more years committed to pay for those bonds.

“If they sell it before then, we are left out in the dark,” Rheinecker said.

Still, Rheinecker said a private owner could be beneficial.

“We would like to see it run more like a business,” Rheinecker said. “There’s a very good opportunity for the city in selling it.”

Reprinted with permission

 

I don’t care who owns the place. Just keep it open. I don’t want these guys in my state.

 

If you have registered shoots they're already there.

 

I am referring to ATA Leadership. Keep the corruption in Illinois.

 

If the ATA buys the place it is the end of registered trap and sports shooting in America. If the EC is not removed from the head of registered shooting we are doomed. The board of directors had better wake up before it is to late. Roger C.

 

The State is losing money on it. The City can’t afford it.

 

The only way the state can make money on the place is to find a patsy to buy it and get it back on the tax roll. Wonder who’d be stupid enough to be the patsy?

 

TF1, You just described the group running the ATA. Namely the EC and the B.O.D.
Roger C.