Club plans update of

trap range, grounds

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- For a sport-shooting organization with a 23-year history, the Sioux Valley Gun Club has largely been perceived as an under-appreciated community asset, usually gaining attention only when noise complaints arose.

The club's plans for expansion and renewal, given the green light by the Park and Recreation Commission Tuesday, are going to change all that, according to Eldon Vath, SVGC president.

The club's governing board envisions an expanded number of ranges for shooting trap, skeet and sporting clays, computerized "five-stand" trap throwers flinging clay targets in different directions, as well as a 50-foot pole for throwing targets representing flying waterfowl.

The club also wants to add trap and skeet ranges because its new location is three times the size of the current park. While shooting events are already held for "black powder" enthusiasts, the club also wants to add an archery range.

Other plans include a new clubhouse with meeting and storage space as well as potentially restrooms and a small kitchenette. The facility could be used by the community when the club isn't using it.

All that would be located adjacent to and below the present Trap Range Park off North Broadway. The ranges would go between the city's compost pile and the barn used to stable the New Ulm Battery's horses.

At the top of the slope, trees would be planted to act as noise abatement and to provide a scenic setting for picnic tables, playground equipment and viewing areas for watching the shooters.

To this point, Vath said, the design of the enhanced shooting area is in the "back-of-an-envelope" stage "because we really couldn't do anything until we got the commission's approval to go ahead with our planning."

The club, which has 237 members and gross revenues totaling nearly $20,000, is moving forward with the project with five goals in mind.

"Our goals are better noise abatement because we want to be good neighbors, staying at this location forever, enhancing safety to maintain our perfect record, having our ranges certified and better wind and sun control for shooting," Vath explained.

Another important goal, Vath added, is making the club "family friendly" with the picnic areas and playground equipment, and 100 percent handicap accessible.

"We want to provide an opportunity for the shooters' families to enjoy the fun, too," Vath said.

Much of the money for the project would be raised through pledge drives, first within the club and then the business community, Vath said. The Izaak Walton League has supported the club in the past, and Vath expects it would support it again in achieving its financial goal.

About $372,000 is available in Minnesota Department of Natural Resources funds for shooting clubs for which the club could apply. Vath said the city has to own the clubhouse because the shooting range is a park, requiring DNR money to only be used for shooting-related expense.

The DNR money is only available through Dec. 31 so the club will need a firm plan before then, to apply for those funds, Vath said.