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TODAY'S SHOOTING SPORTS NEWS

FieldandClays ATA up-dated news reports 
by Dean Townsend, ATA Delegate from Ohio

November 2006, Major ATA realignments
October 2006 Report
August 2006 report
Attendance stats from 2006 Grand American by States / Zones
July 2006 report
Click here

ATA Relocation Update:
Click here

Picture of the Last Grand Day in Vandalia
Click here

Amateur Trapshooting Association moves on...
It couldn't be said better than the article by Jim Morris staff writer of the Dayton Daily News 
and author of the book "Homegrounds." Photo slide show by Bill Reinke

National Shooting Complex Sold

NEGOTIATIONS FOR POTENTIAL SALE OF THE NATIONAL SHOOTING COMPLEX IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS PROCEEDING

The Shooting Wire has confirmed reports that a "substantial" written purchase offer has been made for the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.

While negotiations are described by officials as "very preliminary" the National Skeet Shooting Association Executive Committee and the National Sporting Clays Association Executive Council have approved moving forward with negotiations for that potential sale.

According to Michael Hampton, Sporting Clays Director of NSCA, the agreement does set the stage for a potential move of the organizations and their facilities, but is still "a long way from final."

The National Shooting Complex is a multi-faceted facility, located only a short distance from the San Antonio International Airport and a number of hotels and resorts. That choice location long been coveted by developers, but it wasn't until last Monday, November 15 that a written offer was actually made for the facilities and their significant landholdings.

The Complex facilities include a variety of shooting areas, including 45 skeet and 47 trap fields, 5 sporting clay courses, 2 NSCA 5-stand sporting fields, a 75 position 100-yard rifle range, a 75 position 50-yard pistol range and lighting for after dark clay target shooting. Additionally, there is a clubhouse, 4X4 and ATV courses, stadium seating for 1,000 people, meeting spaces capable of accommodating up to 300 people and on-site catering for events that can accommodate up to 2,500 people.

Skeet Field

The National Shooting Complex is the home of the Sporting Clays National and World Skeet Shoots. At this time, the Complex is still listed as the home for the 2007 Sporting Clays Championships beginning October 30 and the World Sporting Clay Championships in April.

In an update to members posted on the NSSA members' website (www.mynssa.com), NSSA President Louise K. Tarry and National Sporting Clays Association Chairman Robert Lepor acknowledge the "substantial written offer to purchase" the complex and steps taken by their respective boards. The update also reminds members the property has never been listed for sale and the decision to explore a sale was precipitated by the receipt of that "substantial" offer.

Earlier this year, the organizations formed a long range planning committee to perform "due diligence" should it ever become necessary to relocate their headquarters and home grounds. At that time, organization officials emphasized the fact the facility was not for sale and the formation strictly in preparation for what they felt was inevitable, given the heavy development going on around the facilities.

As Texas' number-one tourist destination, San Antonio continues to undergo rapid development and the National Shooting Complex location is regarded as prime property by area land developers.

While there is nothing definitive on a sale, speculation is already high as to a possible relocation site for the organizations and their home fields.. Two locations being bandied about in discussions include the facilities in Phoenix, Arizona and Sparta, Illinois. Sparta is already home to the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ASA).

Those rumored locations, says NSCA's Hampton, "simply aren't going to happen."

"We own our facilities," he says, "why would we want to go to someone else's place where they set the rules? We will have our own place and it will be operated under our rules."

"If a sale were to go through," Hampton says, emphasizing the if, "we will be looking at property in this area. Then, we'll build a facility that will be bigger and better."

The update to members says the organizations will proceed "as soon as possible with our attorneys and the land developer to attempt to get to contract." Additionally, the group assures members that any agreement would include "contingencies for enough time to find an acceptable site for our new home grounds, as well as allow us enough time to build out the new site and relocate there."

In the meantime, NSSA and NSCA business, both groups say, will "go on at Roft Road as normal."

--Jim Shepherd

COPYRIGHT 2006 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted for broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, if 1) the text is forwarded in its entirety, including this paragraph, and 2) no fee is charged.  

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ATA Relocation Update:

October 2005  

New Home of the ATA
Pictures provided by Steve Williams / Joe Nevins through Dean Townsend

September 2005

WORLD SHOOTING & RECREATIONAL PICTURES

January 2005

ATA home grounds real-estate purchase agreement has been re-drafted, amended, and issued to the Dayton International Airport Director of operations Blair Conrad. Final negotiations are expected to move forward rapidly.

Demolition of the western most thirty fields pursuant to direction from DIA is finished.  Shot reclamation of that western area produced a net gain for the association for this small area will be approximately $36,000. Approximately $400,000 is estimated for the entire area.

July 2004

Saturday, July 24th the Illinois General Assembly approved a $46 billion budget, which included funding for the World Shooting Complex. The Governor will be signing the bill shortly to make the plan official.

On Friday, July 30th Governor Blagojevich did sign the state budget, which finalized the budget deal for the World Shooting and Recreational Complex.

June 2004

The Senate did not pass the supplemental appropriation bill that had $29 million for the World Shooting Complex. I had this proposal inserted in the bill in an effort to expedite the funding given the uncertain date of passage of the 2005 budget. The shooting complex was the only capital project in the bill which is why it became the focal point of discussion on the Senate floor. The failure to pass this bill in no way compromises the commitment on the state's part to the World Shooting Complex.

It actually allowed the opportunity to inform the Senators and Representatives on the positive economic impact that this project will have for Illinois.

The infrastructure for the complex is already progressing. The Illinois Department has bid out $5 million of the road and camping program. The other $6.5 million of the road program is set for a July bid. The city of Sparta is finalizing the bid package for the water and sewer to the complex and within the property.

The rest of the money for the project will be in the budget. The overtime session and the dynamics in play make it hard to venture a guess on when that will be. I can assure you that the leaders in the House and the Senate, both Democrat and Republican, have committed to support this project. The Governor remains steadfast in his support.

The Department and all involved in the construction are confident that we are still on schedule to complete the complex in a timely manner. The engineering and planning are still in progress and we are on schedule to request bids in August. Hopefully we will resolve our budget soon and move on towards completion.

I appreciate the commitment that the ATA has made to Illinois. We are proud to have the opportunity to host your events and look forward to the Grand American being the anchor for the World Shooting Complex.

Dan Reitz

Illinois House Member

January 8, 2004

The Executive Committee completed their assigned task on January 8, 2004, via a legally convened teleconference meeting, the Board of Directors approved the Development and Lease Agreement between the ATA and the State of Illinois by a vote of  49 to 6. The Agreement provides for the relocation of the Grand American to Sparta, Illinois, beginning with the 2006 Grand American.  

Some key points in the DNR/ATA Development and Lease Agreement: 

·        The only up-front expenses for the ATA, as a result of the proposed Agreement, will be the purchase of traps and additional voice releases (we already own 100 CVRs).  Title to this equipment will remain vested with the ATA and will be a portable asset, should the Agreement be terminated for any reason or not renewed. The decision for ATA to own and supply the traps was based on our need to insure the best possible target presentation.  Because of Illinois public purchasing rules, had we left the purchase of traps to the State of Illinois, we would likely have lost the ability to be sure the traps used, met our needs. The Illinois DNR will maintain and secure the traps between ATA shoots and reimburse ATA for our insurance costs according to the Agreement.  As provided in the Agreement, they will also have the right to use the traps between ATA conducted events, subject to maintenance and security obligations.  A sub-committee of the Relocation Committee comprised of Relocation Committee Co-Chair Ben Henson and Central Zone Vice President Neil Winston has been tasked with researching the available trap vendors and making recommendations in the best interests of the ATA.  It is presumed that whatever traps are ultimately selected that they will become the de-facto standard. 

·        We will pay the State of Illinois $3.00 per entry, per event (200 target events are $3.00 per entry). This is the only direct cost to the ATA for the Grand (during a 17 day window in August) and as many as 2 additional 7 day events conducted by the ATA at the WSC.  

·        The WSC complex will include up to 1,000 RV spaces in the initial construction; 200 full service (water, sewer and electric) premium sites, 400 full service (water, sewer and electric) standard sites, and up to 400 minimum service (electric only but, with access to potable water and sewer dumps) sites. Additionally, there are provisions for primitive camping both tent and RV.  The State will administer, in consultation with ATA, all camping matters, and the income will accrue to them.  Pricing is dictated by the Agreement and is competitive and appropriate for the amenities being provided. Long-term leases and annual daily pricing will be available for ATA members, subject to reservations.  

·        All target and ammunition sales will remain under the control and responsibility of the ATA and we will retain all income from that as well as the practice traps and hull salvage. 

·        There will be no trolley service.  You will be able to drive your car and park near your assigned traps.  Personal golf carts may be brought and used free of charge subject to registration (on a no fee basis) and proof of insurance according to the terms of the Agreement.  It is the present intention of the Illinois DNR to also offer carts for rent on the premises.  Specific Rules and Regulations, pertaining to the usage of carts (personal and/or rented) during any conducted Grand American or ATA Tournament, shall be published in the Grand American (or other) program according to our present custom.

·        The Illinois DNR has budgeted and expects to spend some $31.5 million dollars in the Phase I (including Exhibit C) construction.  

·        120 traps will be built in Phase I with an additional 40 at a later time, if they are needed.

·        The lease Agreement term is 10 years with automatic renewals should we so choose to renew … termination rights have been incorporated within the Lease Agreement that provide among other things that we have the right to terminate the lease if Illinois passes any law or regulation which materially impedes our ability to conduct our shoots. 

·        We successfully negotiated to retain our rights to event sponsorships even though our sponsorship pursuits run parallel and may conflict with those of the Illinois DNR.  We have agreed to work in a cooperative manner with Illinois DNR in order to enhance our mutual endeavors in this respect.  

·        The State of Illinois by and through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has agreed to knowingly and willing assume all liability and responsibility for all environmental issues including, target and shotshell debris including lead.  This was considered to be a key, and critical, item in the Lease Agreement.   

While we recognize that some of our members are opposed to a move to the WSC for a variety of reasons; we encourage all members to set their differences aside and help make the Grand American a continuing success. We leave Vandalia with much regret and sadness, but look forward to creating new traditions and success in a much larger and more modern new venue.

Respectfully,

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October 2006 Ohio ATA Delegates Report:

Ohio State Shoot Items:

ü      The 2007 Ohio State Shoot will be held at Cardinal Center June 18-24.  Their website is www.cardinalcentercamp.com if you have any questions about camping, or need directions to the facility.

ü      Several updates to the Cardinal Center facility are complete, or scheduled for completion by June 2007.  They include: 

o       Increase in the number of campsites from 185 to 307.  Electric has been upgraded in all areas as well.

o       Parking lot behind the west end of the line (banks 8-19) is finished.

o       New rest room facility at the east end of the line (this is completed).

o       Construction has begun on a new bath house facility (similar to the one in Sparta) with 24 individual rooms that contain showers and toilets.  This will be located just to the east of the current bath house (by the lake). 

o       Indoor pool will be open and ready by June 18.

o       4 lighted fields for shoot offs (practice traps and bank 8). Light poles are installed already…

o       Shelter/shade rest area benches, each with a roof, are being planned for locations up and down the trap line.  If you or your business is interested in sponsoring one of these shelters, please contact John Wengard at Cardinal Center Campground for details.

ü      A non-registered event has been scheduled for Wednesday evening

ü      We will have “ticket-less” entry (similar to the Southern. Grand and Grand American).  In order to enter an event YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PLASTIC ATA CARD. 

      If you want to shoot with your friends and sign up as a squad, you must have all

(five) member ATA cards at the time of entry.  It is not possible to hand type in an entry on this system.  You must have a card(s).

ü      Pre-squad forms will be available on the OSTA web site (www.ohiotrap.com) shortly after the first of the year.  It is strongly encouraged that you consider the pre-squad option if you want to shoot as a squad.  These forms will be due at the end of May 2007 (details to follow…)

ü      Mr. Brad Dysinger has been appointed by the OSTA board as tournament director for the 2007 shoot.

2007 All Ohio Team:   

Below is a preliminary list of shooters who are being considered for the 2007 All Ohio Team.  I would like to finalize the team by the first week in November. Please check the list and contact me right away if you have any questions.  (ohiodel@yahoo.com)

* Italic is team Capt. (high ave.)  

Men’s team:

Women’s team:

Junior team:

Sub-Jr. team:

Veteran team:

Sr. Veteran team:

ATA 2007 Membership cards:

In the next few weeks you should receive your new 2007 membership card.  This year the cards are printed in a light red (almost purple) color. 

THIS IS NOT A REVIEW CARD!!!!!

The yardage on the new card is a reflection of your yardage at the end of the target year
(Sept. 1, 2006). 

If you have earned yardage since Sept. 1, 2006, YOU MUST PUNCH THIS NEW (purple) CARD TO REFLECT THE CORRECT YARDAGE INDICATED ON YOUR CURRENT AVERAGE CARD!!!

REMEMBER:  The ATA rule book defines this as a shooter responsibility to see that their average card is correct.  If the yardage on your new (purple) card does not match the yardage on your current card (the one you are using) please follow the instructions above, or on the (yellow) paper inside the envelope containing your new average card. If you have any questions please call the ATA office at (937) 898-4638 (Ext. 516)

If you have any questions, or comments, please e-mail them to me at: ohiodel@yahoo.com

Until next month….

Dean Townsend
Ohio ATA Delegate

August 2006 report:

  News from the delegates meeting at the 2006 Grand American:

• John Heiter (delegate from Georgia) is to replace past president Ken Duncan on the ATA Executive committee.
• Annual dues to show a two dollar increase to $20/year starting Sept. 1, 2007.
• A $1 fee is going to be added to the ATA big 50 program in 2007 to cover the cost of processing scores
• Grand American attendance for 2006 was up slightly from last year, except for the last two handicap events which showed marked decreases.
• Look for new classification schemes for the 2007 Grand American.  Major changes in target requirements, penalty classes in singles/doubles, and penalty yardage classification.
• Current ATA web-site to undergo a major overhaul during the coming year.  Goals are to incorporate e-commerce (IE: using credit cards to pay for pre-squad and pre-entry at the Grand American)

News from the Central Zone:

• The dates of the Central Zone shoot have been changed to the BEGINNING of the shooting season.  In 2007 the Central Zone shoot will be held during the 2^nd weekend in June.  This was done to allow more opportunities for shooters to attain target requirements for their state shoots and hopefully boost attendance at the Central Zone shoot.  The shoot will still be telephonic in nature and will be hosted this year in Michigan, Iowa, and North Dakota.

In Conclusion: 

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the staff at Cardinal Center Campground for hosting the 1^st annual Cardinal Center Classic.  The shoot had over 600 entries in the Championship events which made the tournament an All-American point shoot with a competition factor or “3”.  I would also like to thank all the non-resident shooters who took the time and paid the extra expense to travel to the Cardinal Center Classic.  Shooters from surrounding states Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia as well as Tennessee, New York, and Ontario were in attendance.  Please know that you are an important part of our business and our goal is to make you feel welcome.  Continued development of the facility was noted by many shooters.  Many shooters who attended commented to me that they believe this facility will continue to evolve into one of the most impressive venues in the country. I agree.

Don’t forget to complete the online survey on this website: http://www.fieldandclays.com/surveys.htm
Survey will remain open until the end of September.

If you have any questions, or comments, please feel free to contact me at ohiodel@yahoo.com

Dean Townsend / Ohio ATA Delegate

Stats from the 2006 Grand American attendance by 
Year, Grand American Handicap, Total Events

Stats from the 2006 Grand American attendance
by States and Zones

July 11, 2006

The 2006 Ohio State Shoot, the inaugural shoot at the new OSTA home grounds at Cardinal Center, Marengo, Ohio, is now history. Be sure to read the July issue of Trap & Field magazine for a brief review of the Cardinal Center home grounds, and the August issue for complete details of the 2006 Ohio State shoot.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the numerous individuals who worked hard to make the state shoot a success.  I would also like to thank all shooters for their patience and understanding through some of the worst weather conditions I can remember for a state tournament.  I was also glad to see many non-resident shooters in attendance.  Please know that you are an important part of our shoot and are always welcome.  Thanks to all the vendors who took the time and expense to attend.  I am hopeful that next year will be a better one for you, at least weather wise…  Finally, I would like to thank former ATA delegate Dennis Filo for his years of service to the shooters of Ohio.  Next time you see Dennis, be sure to thank him for a job well done!!!  Also, I would like to thank Chuck Miller who served as alternate delegate with Dennis during the past few years.  I am sorry to inform you that Chuck resigned the position of alternate delegate for the coming year due to possible relocation to Florida.  Good luck to Chuck in all future endeavors.  According to the ATA, the position of alternate delegate for Ohio will remain unfilled for 2006.

As your newly elected delegate, my first priority will be improvement in communication between shooters and their delegate.  In the coming weeks you will be able to read about the most recent developments in both the ATA and OSTA at web sites www.ohiotrap.com , or www.fieldandclays.com .  Look for some revolutionary new methods designed to allow each and every one of you an active voice in ATA/OSTA items of business.  Please know that your opinion matters to me and I will take it into consideration when voting.  Also, be sure to read the “News from around the ATA” articles in Trap & Field each month, starting this September. 

Finally, I just returned from the U.S. Open in Sparta, Illinois.  This shoot was designed as a “shake down” cruise for the 2007 Grand American next month.  Let me tell you this facility is unlike anything you have ever seen.  It is HUGE.  Imagine a shooting range that is twice as long as the line in Vandalia to get some idea.  Also, I found the local people are very friendly and certainly glad to have the ATA there.  If you are looking for good restaurants while attending the Grand, be sure to check out the following:  Pistol City (Coulterville) nightly buffets, Hunters Hideout (Tilden) good steaks, South Side Ribs (Sparta) for ribs and such, and Carmichaels (North Sparta) for a very nice overall dinning experience.  All of these establishments are within about 15 minutes of the WSRC.  Hope to see you at the Grand in August!!!!

If you need to reach me my e-mail address is ohiodel@yahoo.com or you can call my cell at (614) 975-7955.

Dean Townsend
ATA Ohio delegate

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