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The Third Annual Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club fundraiser and banquet is set for 5 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Pipestone National Guard Armory and Community Center.
This event typically provided the greatest source of funding for the organization, which formed in 2023 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) by a group of local volunteer sportsmen and sportswomen.
“We’re seeing our dreams come true,” said Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club president Troy Budden regarding its growing facility located at 1480 131st Street northeast of downtown.
“The community-oriented support for us has been phenomenal,” Budden added.
The Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club facility northeast of Pipestone has grown from the humble beginnings shown above, with the 25-yard pistol range and berm. The organization will have a fundraiser and banquet this Friday at the Pipestone National Guard Armory and Community Center. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Pipestone-Helping Farmers is providing the meat, which will be prepared by the Pipestone County Pork Producers, member Joe Schelhaas reported.
The meal features pork loin, baked potatoes, corn, hot cross buns and a beverage of your choice.
Dave Sommers, a sportsmen’s club member and owner/proprietor at Dave’s Guns in Pipestone, reported auction and drawing items will come from several manufacturers: Ruger, Radical Firearms, Henry Repeating Arms and CZ USA are among them. A combined 18 rifles and shotguns are waiting to be won.
The 25-yard pistol range was the first amenity assembled, with work nearing completion on the 100-yard rifle and shotgun bay.
“It’s in progress, but usable,” Budden noted about the 100-yard bay.
Per the club’s website, opening day is set for Sunday, May 4, with a range officer present from 1-5 p.m. The range will reportedly be open both Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11.
Building the facility has taken a lot of sweat equity and paperwork. Berms needed to be constructed, for example.
Here are the long-range plans for the Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club complex. (Contributed graphic)
Budden said electrical work has been completed on the first of what’s hoped for three trap houses, the structure from which clay targets will be launched.
Shot screens will be installed to ensure shells don’t reach either a nearby road (150th Avenue) or landfill also located in the area. Environmental concerns have been addressed, Budden reported.
“I think we have a good plan in progress,” Budden said. “We’ve cleared the hardest hurdles, and worked with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on a problem with water run off.”
Future construction, based on funding, will include safety baffles designed to contain errant rounds and prevent ricochets, plus cement benches for shooters.
There also are long-term projects coming closer into view, including building the 200- to 600-yard bays, and construction of both a 60-by-120-foot parking lot and clubhouse.
During fall 2024, shooters from around the area participated in an open house at the Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club range northeast of Pipestone. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
Budden said the organization plans on conducting another open house at the facility this year; however, no date has yet been etched in stone.
This also will become the future training ground for the Pipestone Area Schools’ clay target shooting team. Another future goal will be the creation of pistol leagues for both men and women.
Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club logo. (Contributed graphic)
THE BIG EVENT
What: 3rd Annual Pipestone Sportsmen’s Club fundraiser and banquet
When: Friday, April 25
Where: Pipestone National Guard Armory and Community Center
Schedule of events: 5 p.m., social hour, drawing sales; 6:30 p.m., dinner
Tickets: $60, meal and annual membership; $30, meal without membership; $20, per additional meals
Sponsor levels: $300, silver level; $1,000, gold level
For more information on sponsorship levels, call or text Brad Bolluyt at 1-507-820-6411.