NEW LONDON — A new community asset is set to officially open next week thanks to the leadership, determination, and hard work of Colton Swanson, a senior at New London High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 59.
In cooperation with the New London Area Chamber of Commerce and the New London Parks & Recreation Department, the community will gather on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to celebrate the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the brand-new local archery range.
Located next to the New London Jaycees Dog Park at 740 River Road, the ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. Attendees planning to watch or participate are asked to arrive before 5:30 p.m.
Until the ribbon cutting is complete, the range remains officially closed, and residents are kindly requested to stay off the property.
Building ‘something decades could enjoy’
Colton’s journey began with a desire to leave a lasting, substantial impact on his hometown. As a student representative on the city’s Economic Development Committee, Colton was introduced to the project idea after Mayor Mark Herter’s wife mentioned the opportunity to his father, Zack Swanson.
Colton, who turns 18 on Sept. 4, saw this as the perfect challenge to fulfill his Eagle Scout project requirements before his milestone birthday.
Rather than a simple bench or a small memorial, Colton set his sights on building something bigger.
Despite not being an archer or hunter himself, he knew that many New London residents had to travel outside the city limits or to neighboring towns like Hortonville to practice, and he was determined to give them a high-quality local option.
“I wanted something big... something decades could enjoy,” Colton said.
Beating the floodwaters and raising funds
The project faced immediate hurdles, starting with nerve-wracking spring flooding in April. With only a three-month window to execute the build and finalize his Eagle Scout paperwork before turning 18, Colton monitored the rising waters weekly.
Fortunately, the floodwaters did not reach the site.
Meanwhile, community support poured in. Colton launched a fast-tracked “brat fry” fundraiser, planned in just four days, which netted $1,000. Combined with direct outreach to local businesses and organizations, he raised an incredible $16,000 in total. This included several corporate donations with opportunities to apply for annual funding.
Other vital contributions came from local contractors like Jeff Huebner at K&H Concrete, who donated his time and labor for the extensive concrete pads, charging only for materials. Lindsay Law donated funds alongside proceeds from a benefit ride held for her late husband. August Winters, where Colton has worked as a youth apprentice since his junior year, supported the build by providing tools and fabricating the metal for the range’s donor board.
A team effort
Building the range was a true collaborative effort, totaling an astounding 829 collective volunteer hours, with Colton himself contributing roughly 90 hours.
Alongside his father Zack, family friends, and fellow scouts from Troop 59—including both younger scouts and a lifelong scouting peer—Colton turned his vision into a five-target archery range spanning distances from 10 to 50 yards.
Reflecting on the experience, Colton expressed profound gratitude for the city’s cooperation and the outpouring of community support as he prepares to celebrate his 18th birthday and the formal opening of the range.
“I was more than excited to just be able to raise the funds that I needed,” Colton said.
The Sept. 9 grand opening will feature brief speeches by Colton and Mayor Mark Herter, marking a proud moment for New London and its newest Eagle Scout.
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