Several POA members were at the latest meeting of the Bella Vista Recreation Committee to support a proposed archery range on Monday, July 9.
Hoss Diego had been urging fellow members to attend via Facebook. He reported that there are quite a few "shooters" in Bella Vista, but there are no outdoor archery ranges within 100 miles.
POA general manager Tom Judson said the problem is finding the right space for a range. He doesn't think there's enough POA-owned land near the gun range to build an archery range, but he said the board might consider using the trap and skeet ranges for archery on days when they aren't open to trap and skeet shooters.
Another option might be the 20 acres of POA owned land on Highway 40. But it's too soon to think about using the closed portion of the Berksdale Golf Course, Judson said. Before any of that land is committed to a specific purpose, he wants to have a plan for all of it.
Ashlee Lunsford, the coach of the Cooper Elementary Archery Team, said kids love archery but have no way to practice outside of school. At Cooper, archery is practiced in the gym.
Diego promised to gather other interested members and research exactly what is needed for a safe and profitable archery range.
The committee heard from member Deb Sorenson about another successful meet and greet which happened on Saturday, June 30. She said about 50 new residents attended and heard from Judson and Bella Vista mayor Peter Christie. That recurring event is held quarterly at the Country Club.
Recreation director Joan Glubczynski reported that several large projects are almost completed, including renovated restrooms at both Blowing Springs and Metfield and upgraded RV spots at Blowing Springs.
The new beach has been popular, she said, but probably not so popular that another location needs to open. She sees some people swimming outside the beach area, near the boat ramp, but she doesn't believe they are in danger. Some people arrive at the beach, she said, not realizing there's a fee to swim. Some of those probably move to the boat ramp.
John Urquhart, reporting for Parks and Fisheries, said this is his department's busy season and they are currently fighting an "ongoing war with vegetation."
He said some fish die during hot weather because of the stress, but it's not a significant problem.
General News on 07/18/2018