project letter #2

Dear Mr.Nadziejko and Class,



I would like to research the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois; I would like your permission to study this group. There are so many groups that meet at the complex every weekend from Cowboy Shoots to the Grand American to Boy Scout events. The complex has been in Sparta for 5 years. Its brought of people to Sparta, and helped a lot of the business. I’ve been at 17th Street Bar and Grill at the Shooting Complex for four years. Working there has made me want to learn more about what the Complex offers and why people are willing to spend thousands of dollars in these shoots. I would also like to learn more of the history of the complex before being in Sparta. It has so many things going on all year round whether its shoots or the restaurant hosting a wedding reception it has so many uses for the people around Sparta. This faculty I feel is defiantly a subculture, everyone who comes there either loves trap shooting, or wants to learn more about the complex in general. The complex has league shooting every Thursday night, whether it’s a school team or just some people wanting to practice before some shoots start for them. The complex is open Wednesday through Sunday, anyone who wants to shoot through the week has to go to the IDNR office first and they will get you ready to go. At the complex they have a number of shoots year round. It includes skeet, trap, sporting clays, archery, and cowboy action shooting, camping and fishing. I’d defiantly say the shooters have a feeling of belonging when they are there for shoots. They have their own language when with other shooters, stuff someone that doesn’t shoot would not understand. It blows my mind how many people come down to Sparta every year for the Grand American, it is always so much fun to go out and see how many out of town vehicles you see. I don’t really feel connected to them.

The Shooting Complex is very easily accessible, it’s about 8 miles outside of Sparta, very welcoming and insuring proper parking and everything you need. I would defiantly be able to visit the complex whenever I need throughout the semester; I’m there almost every weekend for work. It’s defiantly safe and legal. The IDNR office is located there, along with a security guard. I’m familiar with the Complex with just what I know from working there. I know a numerous number of people I can interview for this, Chris Hespen, who deals with scheduling shoots and works for the state. Dennis Sneed works for the state also, helps with scheduling shoots and organizing things. I could also interview some of the IDNR guys who work at the complex for maintenance, or the guys who watch over the complex fixing things just making sure everything running smoothly. Some of their names are John Hamilton & Joe Dobyns. I can also interview people who live in Sparta , the mayor Rob Link for what he thinks the complex has brought to Sparta. Some of my friends who shoot, Grant Kueker, Molly Howell, the list goes on. My schedule works well with the schedule at the complex. It’s open anytime Wednesday through Sunday. I will be able to get to the complex each time we have an assignment and complete it by the deadline. I will be able to go out there anytime I would need to ask questions or observe when there is shoots going on. There is actually a shoot going on this weekend, I got to observe them and take notes, along with serve them at a dinner we catered for work.

In conclusion I would like to research the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta Illinois. I look forward to learning more about the complex in general, I love learning and researching about what the complex is like for someone who isn’t from Sparta. I want the outsider’s opinion and the local people’s opinion. I want to know how everyone feels about the complex being in Sparta, and the past history of it being in Ohio.

Denise