South West Illinois News

In a March 10 Facebook post, Rep. David Friess shared an update on a bill that would allow IDNR to sell the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. This is accomplished legislatively through an amendment to the state property control act. 

House Bill 3456 would allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to sell the World Shooting and Recreational Complex through a competitive and sealed proposal process.

"I’m pleased to report that my bill, which would allow the Department of Natural Resources to sell the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, passed out of committee this week," Friess said of the plan. "I will continue to work hard to get the bill passed and signed into law, as I believe the purchase of the facility by a private entity will have a positive economic impact on our community. A private entity, one designed to make money, could fully utilize the potential of this facility and create a huge economic boom for our district."

The World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) is a 1,600-acre complex in the vicinity of Sparta. It is less than 50 miles from three metropolitan areas including St. Louis, MO. It is designed for shooters. The area consists of 120 trap houses stretching through 3.5 miles, 2 sporting clay courses, 24 combination trap/skeet fields, and also cowboy action shooting. The complex is in an active area, being under 50 miles away from St. Louis with three airports also in the area, according to a post on their website. 

The WSRC is also the home of the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s Grand American Trapshooting Championships. There are public hours for a variety of shooting disciplines, and fishing is available in several locations. Camping may also be available. The WSRC is additionally available to host private events, according to a post on its website.