The Sabetha City Commission met at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, at Sabetha City Hall. Present for the meeting were Mayor Cody Bletscher, Commissioners Norm Schmitt, Nick Aberle, Maridel Wittmer and Julie Burenheide, City Administrator Doug Allen, Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer, City Clerk Steve Compo, and City Attorney Luke Sunderland. Guests present were Jason Enneking, Megan Bunck and Jeremy Haverkamp, and Sabetha Gun Club members Doug Whittaker, Matt Bosworth, John Gray and Nolita LaVoie.

Members of the Sabetha Gun Club were present to give an update on the club and the trap shooting range located on the northeast edge of Sabetha on 192nd Road.

Gray started by thanking the city for helping make the trap shooting range available to the residents of Sabetha. Gray, who is the club’s secretary, said the trap shooting range has been designed based on the NRA (National Rifle Association) Source Book. 

“We’ve put limits on the type of ammunition that can be used and the type of guns,” Gray said. “We informally ran some of our club shoots, which are really open shoots there. We’ve sponsored the high school team this past spring and we are looking forward to sponsoring them again this fall.”

Whittaker said the concrete pad has been poured when they plan to build “a bench or covered shooting facility” at pistol and rifle range. The pistol and rifle range will be located northwest of Triple C.

“I think it [the pistol and rifle range] will help double our numbers in the gun club, if people have a place to go shoot their rifles and sight them in,” Whittaker said. “So, there is some excitement there with the club in that aspect.”

Currently, the club is trying to shoot as a club once a month, but other times can be set up by emailing the club. 

“We want the site to be a community access point, but with firearms you have to have someone covering the safety side of it,” Gray said. “You also have to have someone open it up and give you access to the equipment.” 

Gray said that the club is currently operating “close to a cost basis, right now.”

“We’re registered in Kansas as a non-profit,” Gray said. “So, it is $10 for fifty rounds. That fifty rounds refers to the clays and you provide your own shotgun and ammunition.”

The club also has five five-member teams, so they can shoot against each other.

In addition to the club’s teams, the club also has the high school team who competed in June at the State Tournament. The fall season for the high school team will begin Sept. 10 and will last for five weeks. Bosworth said he is considering adding a sixth week to the season for a “fun” week.

The club said they were hoping to add lighting to the trap shooting range, and adding a supply and equipment shed. They also hope to plant some additional trees to “ensure some more safety on shot fall and cut down on the amount of sound going in that direction.”

After discussion surrounding lighting at the trap shooting range, Allen said the city would work with them on lighting and electricity out to the trap shooting range and he would have Troy Lay contact them.

How to join the Sabetha Gun Club

Gray said the cost to join the Sabetha Gun Club is $30, and they can be reached on Facebook at Sabetha Gun Club or by email at sabethagunclub@gmail.com. Members will also be asked to fill out a Hold Harmless Form. This qualifies members for a one-year subscription. Members will have access to the trap shooting range and eventually the pistol and rifle range. The membership also gives members “a say” in decisions made by the club.

Also at the meeting:

The commissioners approved the minutes from the Aug. 14 meeting. They also approved appointing Mike Frey to the Sabetha Housing Board.

The commissioners will meet again at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Sabetha City Hall.