Great News-The ATA Is Now Leasing Sparta

For those who are not aware the ATA has signed a 10 year lease to manage the Sparta facility. Our powers at the top sure must know much about management of a trap range to enter into this agreement.

But wait, isn't this the same bunch that was so sure they could hold the US Open in May until they finally realized they couldn't.

I suppose they actually also believe a few Trapshooters from that remote corner of the state can sustain that large a facility.

Since the IDNR is only responsible for basic maintenance during the months of April to August who's gonna pay their salaries the remainder of the year to do absolutely nothing?

Just how much is this going to cost the entire ATA membership-especially since the vast majority do not attend the Grand or shoot at Sparta?

It seems all other shooting activities have been eliminated and only Trap will remain. Goodby SCTP permanently? Looks like all activities will be in one basket and it sure doesn't look very profitable.

How many staffers will be needed to keep the HOF open or will it turn into a bait and bagel shop during the off season?

So many questions and so few answers so I suppose we'll have to await the devil in the details!

 

Oleolliedawg

If this is true and I dont really give a dam. Never will spend my money in a gun hate state. But if it is true then the recent statement by the ATA that they will be going by the old lease with Illinois was a lie. Nothing but a lie.

It is statements like this that makes me wonder why I shoot ATA targets but this makes it easier to shoot less if at all.

What idiot would rely on anything these guys say? It is lie after lie after lie. I see why the SCTP left. I know why they wont be going back.

 

The begining of the end ... I quit supporting the ATA more than once for obvious reasons, this would give me even more reason to not support them, not that I needed it ... PRACTICE,PRATICE,PRACTICE ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Who are they going to lease it to. Just being ignorant here, They know that a profit cannot be made in a lease

GB...........................DLS

 

Sure looks like all those additional planned events went nowhere. Now we're down to Trapshooting only and most of us know which way that trend is headed. I hope the lease the ATA signed wasn't for much more than $1/year and they won't be forced to pick up any additional expenses or that multi-million dollar slush fund is gonna disappear real quick. Only time and more knowledge will tell!

 

No More problem with the "Glock Guy" ... Whew, glad that worked out ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

someone needs to post the lease for folks to read

 

That lease will be "on a need to know" until Merlo's snitches dig it up. I am sure it will be here soon!

Terri called Merlo a Peeping Tom.

 

The financial problems continue to grow in the State of Illinois according to the States web sites so it will be interesting to see just how long the amended lease agreement gets honored and at what amount of money ... The States credit rating dropped again to an all time low so they can't afford to add to the deficit without some heads rolling sooner or later ... Depending on how many months of the year the ATA is taking over will determine the amount of dollars they are responsible for to use the facility ... The (Talking Head ) Lynn Gipson at one time was talking about being able to utilize the facility for many other uses to increase the amount of generated income ( more than the 20/30 million already) and now they are talking it being used exclusively for trapshooting and nothing else , so the "Glock Guy" has obviously been eliminated for any future dates ... Terri calls a lot of people a lot of things, he can't even get one of the free camping spots from what he said (??) in his rant a few weeks ago and his opinion is like well you know we all have one and an opinion also ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Maybe on a need to care basis ... The circling of uncertainty and lack of broadcasting any information that members might find useful does not and cannot add to many people being interested any more ... If it happens, it happens, if not who cares ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

I would like for all ATA Members to see the Lease supposedly signed by the ATA that was not posted for members to approve before the signing.

Yours in Sport

Gary Bryant..............................Dr.longshot

 

I would like to see the Directors approval, and whom Directors approved the signing of the lease, which is required for spending over $50,000. of our ATA Money

Yours in Sport
Gary Bryant................................Dr.longshot

 

Did it really pass muster?

GB...................DLS

 

"Delegates,"

"On Friday May 20, ATA legal representatives were informed that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) had accepted and signed the ATA's proposed permanent amendment to the lease agreement between the ATA and IDNR pertaining to the World Shooting And Recreational Complex."

"The amendment provides that if the World Shooting and Recreational Complex is not open by April 15th of any year through the end of the lease (2026), the ATA shall be entitled to use and otherwise conduct all shooting and camping activities at the Facility from May 1 to August 31 of that year. DNR shall utilize their resources to maintain the Facility at minimum operation standards in order to effectuate the use thereof by the ATA."

"This ATA has received the amendment, signed by ATA President Wayne Morris and IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal. The amendment takes effect immediately."

"Respectfully,"


"Lynn Gipson
Executive Director
Amateur Trapshooting Association
1105 East Broadway – PO Box 519
Sparta IL"


Ok .... the "original lease" says, "the ATA shall be entitled to use and otherwise conduct all shooting and camping activities at the Facility" .... for a 3 dollar per event "fee" and ???? for camping and vending, at "full" operation standards.

Now ... the "amendment" says, "the ATA shall be entitled to use and otherwise conduct all shooting and camping activities at the Facility" .... for a ???? dollar per event "fee" and ???? for camping and vending, at "minimum operation standards".

Looks like a victory for the "fantastic direction" of going in reverse. It looks like the IDNR has a VERY GOOD reason to NEVER resume anything other than "minimum operation standards".

 

If the lease, new, changed or whatever, costs the ATA more than $50K then the BOD had to vote on this issue. I haven't heard about any votes. I am not implying that the BOD know their responsibilities.




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I have sent a few emails to my delegate. No answers

 

Where is a copy of the complete lease w/amendment attached so it can be viewed by the ATA Members?

GB.....................................DLS

 

Without reading the actual "amendment", it looks like the only thing they changed is the "IDNR" is going to "maintain the Facility at minimum operation standards" .... whatever that is ....

And this was "added" for the life of the "lease". Now the State of Illinois has ZERO reason to do anything more for the life of the "lease".

The "money" the "State" gets should not change from the "original lease" .... so it will be interesting to see what "minimum operation standards" looks like.

 

I suspect the document would need to be reviewed in its entirety before a substantive critique can take place. Larry

 

That is funny Larry. Sometimes you review the document before you sign it. I have faith in this guy Merlo.

 

Tell us a bit about "Merlo".