June 14, 2006

World Shooting Complex to host first ever U.S. Open Trap Shooting Championships
Amateur Trapshooting Association event set for July 6-9

SPARTA, IL- Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood announced today that the Sparta World Shooting and Recreational Complex would play host to the first ever U.S Open Trapshooting Championships starting July 6th. The event organized by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) is expected to draw nearly 1,000 participants who will compete for $10,000 in prize money and trophies for four days in July.

“This event is just another example of what this complex can accommodate, and how Southwest Illinois will benefit from increased tourism and the dollars visitors will bring with them to the area,” said Flood. “We’re proud to be partnering with the ATA on what we know will be another great event.”

The U.S. Open is a four day registered trap shooting event, open to any existing ATA member. People who are not registered can do so the day of the event, simply by filling out a membership form and paying a nominal membership fee that is good until September 1.

During the U.S. Open Tournament, the WSRC will also play host to the Illinois State Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Championships and a Regional SCTP event on Saturday, July 8. Both SCTP shoots should attract more than 400 youth shooters.

The U.S. Open Trapshooting Championship will be the first of three major shooting events taking place in Sparta this year. The ATA Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, which takes place every August (August 8-18, 2006), has evolved into the premier shooting event in the world. Started in New York in 1900, this shoot annually brings nearly 15,000 people per day to the event site. The ATA has also scheduled a Fall Shoot for October 10-15, 2006.

“We are looking forward to hosting three major competitions at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex,” said ATA President Ken Duncan. “This is going to be a first-class facility and is sure to attract many shooters and visitors to the state of Illinois. The ATA would like to express sincere gratitude to the state for all of their efforts on behalf of our association.”

Trapshooting is a specific form of clay target shooting and a game of movement, action and split-second timing. It requires the accuracy and skill to repeatedly aim, fire and break a 4 1/4 inch disc, which are hurled through the air at a speed of 41 mph, simulating the flight path of a bird fleeing a hunter.

The ATA serves as the protector of the sport of trapshooting. As the largest clay target shooting organization in the world, the ATA governs the sport's rules and regulations and seeks ways to further enhance the sport and increase participation.

Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich approved construction of the WSRC in 2003. The newly-constructed, state-of-the-art facility is projected to have a significant economic impact on the Southwest Illinois region by boosting tourism, creating more than 250 new jobs and generating millions of dollars in additional income for the area.

Construction on the complex’s Event Center, vendor mall, five individual vendor buildings, shower building, and maintenance building has been completed with detailed interior work being finalized in all buildings. Work continues on the Event Center’s full service restaurant and lounge that will be fully operational in time for the grand opening. Finishing touches are also being put on the Event Center’s gift shop, meeting rooms and banquet facilities.

Construction of the facility’s 120 trap fields is complete. The complex’s water tower is nearly complete and landscape work around the facility is approximately 60 percent complete. Last month crews began paving the complex’s more than 1,000 campsites, expected to be complete within the next couple of weeks.

WSRC Fact Sheet

• 1,500+ acres including 250 acres of water
• 120 trap fields extending 3.5 miles
• Two sporting clay courses
• Cowboy Action Shooting corral
• Permanent exhibitor building
• 746 RV campsites with electric, water, and sanitary services, with an additional 264 sites with electrical service providing potential for camping jamborees.
• 34,000 Sq. ft. Multi-purpose, multi-use recreational facility
• Gift shop and full service restaurant/lounge
 

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