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Trap shooting range to use $100K grant to replace building
New Ulm trap shooting range to undergo major renovation with $100,000 grant
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍New Ulm, Minnesota, USA
The Sioux Valley Gun Club in New Ulm, Minnesota, is receiving a significant boost to its trap shooting operations thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The funding will be used to replace the aging Trap Range Building at 214 N. 21st Street, a facility that has been in use since the early 1970s. The building, which has served the local shooting community for more than 50 years, has deteriorated beyond repair and no longer meets the needs of the growing number of participants in the clubs trap and skeet programs. The new building will be larger and more modern, ensuring that the club can continue to serve New Ulms youth, high school teams, and recreational shooters for years to come. Sioux Valley Gun Club president Jim Arndt shared his excitement about the new project, emphasizing the importance of the facility to the local community. This building is vital to the youth trap shooting programs, and its also crucial for the continued growth of the sport here, Arndt said. The new structure will be a 80-foot by 30-foot building that will provide better amenities and more space for shooters, especially given the rising interest in the sport. Trap shooting, which is a form of clay pigeon shooting, has been a popular activity in New Ulm for decades. The sport, which involves shooting at clay targets that are launched into the air, has seen a surge in participation, especially among young people. The New Ulm High Schools are actively involved in trap shooting, with around 140 students participating annually. This increase in participation led to the realization that the current building was no longer sufficient to accommodate the growing demand. The grant from the DNR was secured through the states Large Shooting Range grant program, which provides funding to shooting ranges across Minnesota to help them maintain and improve their facilities. In addition to the new building, the club will use the funds to match the grant amount through additional contributions from the Sioux Valley Gun Club and the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department. The combined resources will ensure that the project is completed on schedule and within budget. New Ulms trap shooting program has been a significant part of the local community, with students and families supporting it through volunteerism and fundraising. The youth trap shooting program is especially popular, with students from all three of the towns high schools participating. Arndt also noted that the youth participation in the sport is growing rapidly, and the new building will help meet this demand while providing a safe, comfortable, and modern space for the shooters. Weve had over 70 youth members participating in the Sioux Valley Gun Clubs youth program, and the new building will make it easier for them to hone their skills and enjoy the sport, said Arndt. The updated facility will also include improved safety features and accommodations for visitors and coaches. The DNRs support of local shooting ranges plays an essential role in promoting the sport of trap shooting, particularly as it continues to grow in popularity. Shooting ranges like the one in New Ulm are not just recreational spacesthey are key to fostering the next generation of competitive shooters and instilling important values such as discipline, respect for firearms, and responsibility. Construction of the new trap shooting building is expected to begin in the fall of 2025, with completion targeted for early 2026. The project will be carried out with a focus on minimizing disruption to the clubs ongoing activities, ensuring that the range will remain operational throughout the construction phase. The Sioux Valley Gun Clubs new trap shooting range building is more than just a structureits a symbol of the continued growth and investment in shooting sports in New Ulm. It also highlights the importance of community support and local involvement in ensuring the sustainability of outdoor activities for future generations.