Park and Rec board moves gun club lease forward

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend an updated lease agreement with the Sioux Valley Gun Club for the city-owned trap and skeet range at 214 21st North Street.

The agreement updates a lease in place since Jan. 1, 2000. 

Under the proposal, the Sioux Valley Gun Club will fund and build a new clubhouse to replace its existing 1970s facility near the city compost site, with construction scheduled for fall 2026 or spring 2027.

The gun club will pay all construction costs. Once built, ownership of the clubhouse will transfer to the City of New Ulm, with the organization continuing as the range operator and paying all year-round utility expenses. 

In recognition of the club’s private investment, no rent will be charged to the group in 2027, with future rates to be determined.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said transferring ownership to the city resolves a major financial hurdle regarding facility insurance. 

We are not looking at city funds for this new facility upfront,” Schugel said. “Long-range upkeep, operation and maintenance will fall on the city. In the future we will be working with the gun club and looking at a rent rate that works for both parties.” 

He added that keeping the building under city ownership allows it to be covered under municipal policies, which “wouldn’t really add anything to our insurance point” while accommodating growing participation in local high school trap shooting programs.

The meeting also included an introduction from Dylan Maanum, who stepped into the role of recreation coordinator for aquatics and fitness on June 1. 

Maanum, who recently moved to New Ulm with his fiancée, holds a bachelor's degree in sport and recreation management from South Dakota State University. 

A former all-state competitive swimmer, Maanum brings a background in personal and group fitness training from Rejuv Medical as well as student activities experience from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. 

He outlined his professional background and certifications for the board as he settles into overseeing local aquatic and fitness programming.

Commissioners reviewed several summer volunteer projects. 

In German Park, local Girl Scouts planted seven trees alongside Tony Guggisberg of River Creek Nursery to study urban forestry. Behind the Kiesling House downtown, Eagle Scout Zach Oswald led a project installing railroad ties, terraced planters, and landscaping. 

High school football players cleared weeds from the Herman Heights rain gardens, and volunteers cleared weed growth at the old armory.

“A lot of community activity, a lot of projects are going on outside of park and rec and volunteers,” Chairwoman Amy Johnson said. “We appreciate all of them, and we couldn’t make this possible without projects like those.”

On trail maintenance, Schugel said patching was completed from 7th North to County State Aid Highway 29 this year using city engineering funds. 

Fall maintenance will include asphalt repairs near the Johnson Football Field concession stand and new paved trail access at Nehls Park.

The commission also voted to recommend city council acceptance of $1,075 in total donations. 

“We have a number of donations again this month,” Schugel said. 

The gifts included German Park memorial paver stones from Steve Wyer, Tracy Mullen Beckman, and Virginia and Darwin Deason, as well as Herman Run sponsorships from Christensen Farms, Mike's Collision, and Frandsen Bank & Trust.

Parks Maintenance Worker Kyle Kuehn was also recognized as one of the city’s employees of the month for August.

The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting is set for 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the City Hall Council Chambers.