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News on the ATA Offices move

3K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Stuart 
#1 ·
In the weekly local paper here in Sparta, there is a front page article about the ATA leaving Ohio. I will try and touch on the highlights.

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Headline reads:


ATA leaving Ohio, but where will they put their offices?

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The County Journal confirmed that this week that the ATA will move its offices to Illinois. The question is: Where in Illinois?

Lynn Gipson, the neew ATA Executive Director of the ATA, said the offices will move by this coming spring or summmer.

"We don't yet know for sure just where they be yet," Gipson said. "There are a lot of details to work out first."

Sparta Mayor Charles Kelly said he has been talking with the ATA since August about a location for their offices. They have been shown some places for possible use in Sparta, but Kelly says nothing has been settled.

Gipson said he was in Sparta January 9 and 10 working on some moving details.He took over as the Executive Director of the ATA January 1. The position had been vacant for several months.

Gipson said the ATA has a Vandalia staff of 8 to 10 people, and they have been told about the move to Illinois.

"They have been invited to move with us," said Gipson. "They have time to respond, but most have not decided yet."

Gipson, who lives in Smithville Missouri, near Kansas city, said he will move to this area, but not necessarily Sparta.

"I want to get the offices moved first, then myself," he said.


Travis Loyde, the Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said the ATA has secured nothing with the state as far as the move is concerned.

"I have made it clear in the past what Illinois' requirements are for the ATA to obtain property here," said Loyde. "That is as far as the conversation went."

Loyde said several years agothe ATA wanted a 100-year lease agreement for property, then held up on any action.

"They know our requirements," said Loyde. "There have have been no formal discussions lately."

The ATA has also discussed movinh its Hall Of Fame and museum from Vandailia to Sparta. A drawing of a building has even been made public.

Recently, Jim Bradford, the Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, said the ATA and the Hall Of Fame are considering a "joint venture building."

Gipson, meanwhile, is quite familiar with the ATA. He has been the shoot-off manager at the Grand American for the past two years, and last year he was the assistant tournament director. He has been in the trap shooting sport for 40 years and has been serving as the Missouri delegate on the ATA executive board. He will not seek re-election to that psoition.

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Article from the: "County Journal"
 
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#3 ·
What I don't understand is the fact the article stated that the ATA was moving to Illinois but didn't say where in Illinois. Why would the ATA move to IL if it were not going to move to Sparta? Sure there are a lot of other nice Towns in IL but Sparta is where the Grand is held. I would think if they were not going to move to Sparta or at least real close, they may as well find a building in Ohio so people don't have to move so far from what they call home. If my family didn't own so much ground in Southern IL and i hadn't lived here for over 40 years, i wouldn't move here. It is a nice community and what i know as home though. Just say'n...........
 
#4 ·
It only makes sense to have the headquarters and the hall of fame where the most shooters can see and use the facilities.

Owning the property in Ill on which the HoF and ATA offices are located is a new one on me, never heard that one before? I did see the artist rendering of a possible HoF building when it was posted here some time back. Lotsa buckos there!

Just a guess on my part but I think the IDNR wants some real commitment from ATA before talking long term leases with them? A $ test is coming soon with the move to Ill and hopefully they can work out the details.

Hap
 
#6 ·
The info I received is the ATA wants the State of Illinois to build this building for the ATA. The State has already set aside land for them, in the wrong place I might add. That is why the ATA is attempting to put the pinch on the city of Sparta for a building. Lynn is a serious negotiator and I would put my money on him pulling it off. I don't doubt we will lose most of the Staff in the move, but that is a temporary problem. The value of the building and property in Vandalia should offset any moving and construction cost.
Stu
 
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