During a recent government meeting, Christine Sterner presented a proposal for establishing a Clay's Sporting Club at Westview's Island, aimed at introducing students to skeet shooting and other clay sports. Sterner emphasized that the initiative is part of a national program supported by Pennsylvania, with a focus on safety and responsible gun handling.
The proposal includes collaboration with the Trapper Sportsman's Club, which would provide facilities for training. Sterner assured attendees that no firearms would be present near schools and that all activities would be supervised by certified safety officers. The program is designed for students in grades 9 through 12, although younger participants from grade 6 can also join.
Key discussions revolved around liability concerns for the school district. Officials noted that, similar to other sports, the district could be held responsible if negligence is proven. However, they expressed confidence in the safety measures that would be implemented, including strict protocols for handling firearms.
Sterner mentioned plans to raise funds for purchasing equipment through a booster club, ensuring that all participating students would use the same firearms to promote fairness. The club aims to start training sessions soon, with hopes of launching the program in time for the spring season.
The meeting concluded with a call for further exploration of agreements with other local schools that have established similar programs, highlighting a growing interest in competitive shooting sports within the community.