Madelia Sportsman's Club proposes 20‑target 3D archery course on underused city land

Corey Sullivan, a representative of the Madelia Sportsman's Club, asked the council to allow the club to use roughly 30 acres of underused land near the old Highway 60 water‑treatment site for a 20‑target 3D archery course.

Sullivan said the club — which he and other volunteers have been reviving after years of low activity — would not be asking the city for startup funds. “We are not asking for any money from the city of Madelia,” he said, adding the club restored its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and plans to fund construction through donations, founding members and lane sponsors.

The presenters described a 3D course as a walk‑through layout with life‑size targets and a range of shooting angles that is different from basic fixed‑distance ranges. Sullivan said the nearest similar course is roughly 60–70 miles away and argued a local facility would benefit outdoor enthusiasts and could bring business to local restaurants and campgrounds.

On costs, Sullivan provided a preliminary estimate: “The start up cost estimation, 12 to $15,000,” noting targets from the main manufacturers run roughly $500–$1,000 apiece and that target inserts require periodic replacement. The club proposed 20 targets in part to meet national association norms so it could host sanctioned matches.

City staff raised procedural and legal considerations. A staff member cautioned that lease arrangements that generate revenue can create tax obligations and that the city would need time to research lease, insurance and liability implications; the staff member said there would be no approval tonight. “There’s gonna be no approval … I’m not gonna advise that,” the staff member said.

Presenters acknowledged security and liability concerns for equipment on site and said the club would take responsibility for maintenance and security plans, but asked for the city’s guidance on storage and insurance. They suggested the club could raise funds through $1,000‑plus founding donations and lane sponsors at roughly $150 per lane per year, with donor recognition at the course entrance.

Sullivan proposed a planning timeline that would use fall and winter to lay out the course and aim for a late‑spring or early‑summer opening next year if approvals and preparations proceed. He also said the club had consulted other operators and used national guidance for course standards.

The council did not vote on the proposal. City staff said they will research lease and tax implications and follow up with the presenters; the meeting closed with requests for further staff review and a commitment to stay in contact.