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The Sparta World Shooting and Recreational Complex is hosting the
first-ever U.S. Open Trapshooting Championship, which started
Thursday. The event, organized by the Amateur Trapshooting
Association, is expected to draw nearly 1,000 participants, who will
compete four days for $10,000 in prize money and trophies. The U.S.
Open Trapshooting Championship is the first of three major shooting
events taking place at the complex this year.
"Our investment in this world-class complex will pay off in a big
way, not only in southwestern Illinois, but across the state,"
Blagojevich said. "After years of planning and hard work, this
complex is the premier shooting facility in the nation. But, it's
much more than a shooting complex. It has first-class meeting and
banquet facilities, a full-service restaurant, and a campground for
families to enjoy. And, when families come to the World Shooting
Complex, they'll also be able to enjoy all that southwestern
Illinois has to offer -- including its history, golf courses,
wineries and state parks."
"We have a great facility for sportsmen and shooting enthusiasts,
and I look forward to it being a magnet for tourism and economic
growth in southern Illinois," said state Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Sparta.
"This complex and the events that will take place here will provide
the opportunity to bring in people from all over the country to
showcase our region."
"This world-class facility will provide a great boost to the
economy in southern Illinois," said state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.
"I'm excited for Sparta and look forward to the additional
development the complex will bring for the entire area."
"This facility will hopefully provide a big boost to southern
Illinois tourism as it draws sportsmen and shooting enthusiasts from
all over the country," said state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg.
"In-state and out-of-state visitors alike will travel through other
areas of southern Illinois, where they will contribute to the local
economy by buying gas and food and staying in hotels and
campgrounds. This is a great opportunity for our region, and I am
proud to have helped make this facility possible."
"The opening of the Sparta Shooting Complex is a great boost, not
just for the local economy, but for all of southern Illinois," said
state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benson. "It certainly takes its place among
the great things to do and see in our part of the state, and I'm
pleased to have been able to help make it a reality."
The 1,600-acre complex will feature 250 acres of water; 120 trap
fields extending 3.5 miles; two sporting clay courses; a Cowboy
Action Shooting corral; permanent exhibition building; 746
recreational vehicle campsites with electric, water and sanitary
services, and an additional 264 sites with electrical service,
providing potential for camping jamborees; a multipurpose
recreational facility; gift shop; and full-service restaurant and
lounge. It's also expected to quickly become a premier meeting,
exhibit, banquet and reception space in southwestern Illinois.
The 34,000-square-foot events center includes a 4,700-square-foot
concession area, which will house a 1,250-square-foot full-service
restaurant, a 950-square-foot lounge and a 2,250-square-foot dining
room, which will be used during larger events. In May, Ned Kelly's
of Bloomington Inc. was awarded the contract to supply food and
beverages to the complex. The Bloomington-based restaurant will
operate its World Shooting and Recreational Complex facility under
the name "Heartland Range."
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 In January 2004, Blagojevich announced an agreement with the
Amateur Trapshooting Association, the governing board for clay
target shooting in the United States, to make Illinois the new home
of the Grand American competition. The state welcomed the nation's
largest outdoor shooting tournament to the new complex after the
Amateur Trapshooting Association decided to relocate its
headquarters from its former home in Vandalia, Ohio, after more than
80 years. This decision was made after plans were announced to
expand the Dayton International Airport in Ohio, which would have
altered the grounds where the Grand American was held.
The Grand American, scheduled for Aug. 8-18, is said to attract
nearly 7,000 shooters during the course of the 10-day event. The new
facility is also hosting two other annual Amateur Trapshooting
Association shooting events -- the U.S. Open, taking place now as
the precursor event for the Grand American, and a fall shoot in
October.
"The city of Sparta and Randolph County are excited about the
future opportunities for our area due to the World Shooting and
Recreational Complex opening," said Sparta Mayor Randy Bertetto.
"This complex will not only create new jobs and increase tax
revenue, but will also make Sparta the destination for thousands of
people. This entire area looks forward to an exciting and prosperous
future."
"This complex will be a huge economic draw for this area," said
Sam Flood, acting director of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources. "Activity at the site will generate new revenues for the
state with hotel and motel fees, dining, and a variety of other
tourist activities. Over $3 million in revenues have already been
committed this year from camping and vending fees alone."
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is the state agency
that will oversee the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. A
general manager for the complex has not yet been named. Bob Ruff,
special events coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources,
will serve as acting general manager in the interim.
Construction of the complex was approved by Blagojevich in 2003.
Ground for the complex was broken in fall 2004, and construction
took approximately 16 months to complete. Costs for the project will
total approximately $50 million. The state's Capital Development
Board provided $31.5 million in capital funding to secure the
project and also managed the construction. The Illinois Department
of Transportation reallocated $10 million for road improvements in
the area. And $8 million in local bonds for water and sewer
improvements will be repaid to the city of Sparta over the next 20
years.
World Shooting and Recreational Complex fact sheet
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1,600-plus acres,
including 250 acres of water
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120 trap fields
extending 3.5 miles
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Two sporting clay
courses
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Cowboy Action
Shooting corral
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Permanent exhibitor
building
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746 recreational
vehicle campsites with electric, water and sanitary services,
and an additional 264 sites with electrical service, providing
potential for camping jamborees
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Multipurpose,
multiuse recreational facility
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Gift shop and
full-service restaurant
[News release from the governor's
office]
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