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"Interest in the complex from shooting enthusiasts has been
tremendous in the year since we opened," Flood said. "I expect the
addition of skeet shooting will add to that enthusiasm as visitors
begin to realize fully what this facility has to offer. And with
Mike Mills and the reputation of 17th Street joining us, I
anticipate we'll see an even greater number of visitors come out to
enjoy a good meal."
The 1,600-acre WSRC now includes 24 skeet fields. Construction of
the skeet houses began in late winter and was completed in early
June. The state's Capital Development Board managed the project.
Construction was completed by H2K Construction and Clinton Electric,
and Knight & Associates served as project designers.
Skeet is a form of shooting where participants aim at clay
targets that move horizontally across the air. Approximately 225
shooters participated in the first skeet event, the Briley Open,
held last weekend, June 8-10.
In addition to expansion of the sports facilities, Mike Mills and
his 17th Street Bar & Grill, headquartered in Murphysboro, have
taken over the food and beverage services at the complex. The former
contract was held by Ned Kelly's of Bloomington Inc.
In the world of barbecue, champion pitmaster Mike Mills is
affectionately known as "The Legend." He presides over the pits at
his four nationally acclaimed 17th Street Bar & Grill restaurants in
southern Illinois and three Memphis Championship Barbecue
restaurants in Las Vegas. In the early 1990s he was co-captain of
the Apple City Barbecue team, one of the most celebrated teams on
the circuit. He is a four-time world champion and three-time grand
world champion of Memphis in May, otherwise known as the "Super Bowl
of Swine." He is also the barbecue guru and a partner at Blue Smoke
restaurant in New York City. Mike's book, "Peace, Love, and
Barbecue," was nominated for a 2006 James Beard Award and was named
the 2006 National Barbecue Association Book of the Year.
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 "Barbecue is all about family, friends and love -- similar to the
sport of shooting," said Mike Mills, owner of 17th Street. "We're a
family-owned business, and our success is due in part to the many
supporters we have in this region. We're proud to be part of the
WSRC. Our vision is to provide a place for families and friends to
gather, as well as hold world-class special events and meetings in
the beautiful banquet facility."
The 17th Street Bar & Grill location at the WSRC features many of
the same great tastes as their other restaurants, including its
award-winning barbecue, in addition to steak, seafood, pasta and
many other offerings. The staff can fulfill any special menu
requests for catered events. The restaurant is now catering special
events at the WSRC and will be open for daily service beginning
later this summer. For more information about the restaurant, visit
www.17thstreetbarbecue.com; or call the Murphysboro office,
618-684-8902, or the restaurant at the WSRC, 618-295-2754.
About the WSRC
The
World Shooting and Recreational Complex is a state-of-the-art
1,600-acre shooting facility that features 120 trap fields extending
along a 3.5-mile shooting line and more than two dozen skeet fields.
Public shooting opportunities (except during major shooting events)
are available on trap fields nearest the WSRC Events Center and
vendor mall, and on the skeet fields for the convenience of
recreational shooters. Open shooting is available from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. daily at a cost of $5 for each 25-target round.
WSRC facts
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120 trap fields
extending 3.5 miles
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2 sporting clay
courses
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24 skeet fields
-
Cowboy Action
Shooting Corral
-
3-D archery area
(late summer)
-
1,000 RV campsites;
750 include water, sewer and electric hookups
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34,000-square-foot
special event center
-
Vendor mall with over
34 shooting-sport-related shops
-
Full-service
restaurant
[Text
from Illinois
Department of Natural Resources news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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