I met with Alaine Hudlin of the Prairie Center this morning. Alaine is 100% for a club establishing a 3D range at the center. Alaine stated that we could basically set the range up in anyway we wished. In exchange for the use of the property, Alaine’s only requested is that we have volunteers available for 2 days each summer to assist with an Archery Day Camp that is held to introduce local children to archery and hunting. Alaine did state that we would be able to use the 3D targets that the center has, but they would have to be stored in their building when not in use. I did ask that if we were to supply the targets would we be able to secure the targets to the ground by some means or to an adjacent tree and Alaine stated that it would be ok. The Prairie Center is owned by the state and is managed by the Kansas Parks and Wildlife, so we would have to form a nonprofit organization in order to use the property and we would have to provide a $1 million liability insurance policy, which will cost less than $300 per year. If we use the centers targets we can not stop the public from using the targets, but if we provide the targets we could either not allow someone to use the targets or force them to join the club in order to use our targets. Alaine did state that the center is not a public use area and is supposed to be used for educational purposes, so that would keep the number of people having access to the course at a minimum. Aliane even stated that we could host shoots and have primitive camping if we wished. There are 2 porta potties, one at each parking area and permanent toilets at the lake. The park is open from dusk until dawn, seven days per week.
I hope that there is a lot of interest in this. The area that will be used for the range is absolutely beautiful. I do realize that we will have to do some maintenance on the range, which should be minimal, but the mowing will be done by the center. If we needed to use a tractor or mower that belongs to the center we would be able to.
After talking with Alaine this morning I am really positive that this is a great opportunity to establish a 3D Archery Range, which is lacking in the area. Please let me know if you are interested in participating in this. One other concern is, are we going to have this as traditional only or are we going to include the wheelie guys? Including the wheelie guys will lower the cost of membership.
I have included a link to a satelite shot of the center.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=38.879984~-94.899334&style=h&lvl=16&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=14914499&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 The Office is at the northeast corner of the property. There is 25 acres total of residental land on the north and west border of the center.