Because of a political shootout between a Republican governor, the Democratic legislature and public employees union in Illinois, severe budget cuts have been proposed and right in the middle of it all is the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta.
In fact, the shooting and camping services at the complex were shut down on Thursday. Employees were laid off, but because of a court dispute, they’re still being paid.
Although the whole thing is likely to be temporary, the ATA finds itself in a shaky position. If the complex remains closed, where will the Grand American take place in 2016 and beyond?
And even if the economic crisis is averted this year, will the threat of closure keep the ATA wondering if it will have a place to shoot in years to come?
All of this isn’t what the ATA folks envisioned when they signed a contract with the complex good through 2026 … or when they left Vandalia in 2006.
There is no question the Grand is in the right place, sort of. The shooting complex is the best in the world with 120 trap fields over 3.5 miles in the 1,600-acre park. The only problem is the complex is in the wrong place out in the boondocks of southern Illinois.
One of the reasons the governor shut down the complex is it costs about $3 million to operate each year while it brings in only $1.1 million in revenue.
The idea when the complex was developed over reclaimed strip mine land was to bring people to that economically challenged area. Sort of an if-you-build-it-they-will-come philosophy. But they haven’t come. And now the Illinois state budget is feeling immense pressure, so big time expenses like the shooting complex are being shut down.
When and if it reopens is anybody’s guess. But how long can the ATA wait before it has to make other plans to hold the next Grand?
“We think the situation in Sparta will be resolved, but we are looking at alternatives,” said Lynn Gipson, executive director of the ATA. “We’d like some assurances from the state of Illinois that the complex will at least be open in July and August for our shoots. We want to see it open all the time.”
Since they will never return to Vandalia — the airport has demolished the buildings and bulldozed the trap fields — it’s doubtful the ATA will ever be able to find a venue large enough to hold the championship tournament under its present format. And it’s unlikely anyone’s pockets are deep enough to build a 100-plus trap line for a two-week tournament each year.
If it went to a system where, say, shooters would have to qualify for a limited number of Grand spots, they could hold it at a place like the Cardinal Center (52 traps) in Marengo, Ohio or another state’s home grounds (Missouri is the largest with 60 traps). That, of course, would destroy one of the great themes of the annual Grand American where any shooter can go to compete with the best. A dream killer, for sure.
Chances are the Illinois political storm will dissolve soon and the ATA will be able to stay in Sparta. That would be for the best. Stay tuned.
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