Parents, veterans and archers press Conroe council to back public archery range; CVB funding on agenda

During the citizen‑comment period and later in agenda staff presentations, a coalition of archery supporters urged the Conroe City Council to support an outdoor archery range in the city.

Twelve‑year‑old Grace Coffey described archery’s personal benefits, including focus and confidence. Community members, coaches and veterans said the sport is inclusive and therapeutic — veteran Major Andy Tippergoer described archery’s value for veterans with PTSD — and argued a public range could host tournaments that would bring visitors and hotel stays. Several speakers proposed siting small portions of the facility on flood‑prone acreage in Owen Park or the Westside facility, noting archers’ willingness to cope with muddy conditions.

Separately, during the agenda item on CVB projects and sponsorships, parks and tourism staff presented a recommended list of FY25–26 CVB allocations — roughly $1.0 million in recommended funding from an initial set of requests totaling about $1.24 million — that included an archery‑range project to be developed and competitively bid if council funds it. Staff said all CVB projects would still need full application review, ROI analysis, and legal review before funds are released. Public commenters had raised ROI questions for prior events and urged the city to require completed applications and clear hotel‑occupancy return estimates prior to award.

Council approved the CVB projects list with the understanding that each project would complete the formal application and legal review; the archery range will proceed to a formal bid process if it meets application criteria.

Speakers and staff emphasized balancing tourism potential with evidence of demand and clear post‑event measurement. Council did not commit immediate capital funds beyond the recommended CVB allocation and directed staff to track application materials and ROI metrics before final disbursement.