CANBY — The Canby Sportsman’s Club turned its need for an indoor shooting range into a proposal that could lead to that and much more.

Club leaders presented a complete proposal to members and supporters Saturday evening at their annual banquet. Details were shared about the full set of attractions that could be offered with the construction of a building that measures about 9,600 square feet.

Besides a shooting range, the facility could involve indoor archery, basketball, volleyball, 3-D golf, putting greens, indoor walking space, and an event center area. It will be capable of hosting weddings, graduation parties (up to three at the same time), large meetings, and commercial trade shows.

“It all started last year when we talked about the need for an indoor range,” said Dave Verhelst, one of the first Canby Sportsman’s Club members to explore the concept. “We thought as long as we were investing in that, we should consider other attractions that could be popular in the Canby area.”

He said the final proposal has the potential to meet a variety of needs for Canby area residents, in a way that could allow more to happen locally instead of in a nearby larger town. Canby is part of a large rural area located between Willmar, Watertown, South Dakota, Brookings, South Dakota, and Marshall.

“People have had to go to other towns because we don’t have a facility for them,” Verhelst said. “There’s been a need to change that. We’re willing to take charge of it and make it happen.”

The new recreation/event center will be located on the current sportsman’s club property, situated on the north side of Canby near the Yellow Medicine County Fairgrounds.

An initial pledge drive is planned to follow Saturday’s campaign kick-off. The results of the pledge effort will shape the strategy for additional fundraising and a timeline for construction.

“We’re looking for support from a wide area,” Verhelst said. “The biggest challenge is that it will cost a good amount of money. We believe it’s possible because we’ve heard the public sees a need for it and wants it.”

He said the addition of the Canby Inn and Suites near the downtown business district adds to the prospects of the Sportsman’s Club proposal. It gives event guests a chance to book motel rooms locally.

Throughout the year, members will have the opportunity to use any part of the facility from early morning to later in the evening. They will be given keys to unlock or lock the center as needed.

Verhelst said there’s a goal to keep club membership costs down as much as possible.

“Members already pay just to use our outdoor shooting range,” he said. “We’re hoping that by paying more a month that’s still affordable they’ll be able to have much more of an opportunity for recreation, and to enjoy it throughout the year.”

Another goal of the project is to have something for everyone, both outdoor sports enthusiasts and those with other interests such as basketball, volleyball and golf. It can include all ages from young children to senior citizens.

Ashley Potter of rural Hanley Falls grew up in Oshkosh Township, Yellow Medicine County, north of Canby. Based on her familiarity with her hometown and how she, her husband Matt, and their children enjoy outdoor sports; she considers the sportsman’s club proposal a promising idea for recreation and economic activity.

“It’s something that could meet at least several different needs with one project,” Potter said. “I’ve heard good things about it. People have talked for a long time about how that kind of facility would be nice to have.”

Potter owns Escape Spa in Marshall, which is located at the former First Baptist Church after an extensive remodeling effort. She’s given feedback to organizers of the Canby recreation/event center concept, including some suggestions about the need to make the most of kitchen space, seating and multi-purpose areas.

“I’m hoping they’ll build it big enough right from the start,” she said. “It’s a big investment, so it would be best to have enough space when it first opens instead of needing to build an addition.”