Alec Schaffer
The Laramie City Council met with the Albany County commisioners to discuss the need for youth sports complexes on Tuesday.
Trish Oppie and Councilor Joe Vitale presented a report on the need for additional sports facilities for Laramie youth.
“I think kids are important, they’re our greatest assets for the community,” Vitale, member of the exploratory committee, said.
The exploratory committee was tasked in September with examining the need for youth sport facilities.
The committee, due to time restraints, was only able to examine the seven selected sports in depth.
The seven sports were selected on posing the most relevant need and cost effectiveness.
The problem with the existing sport facilities stems from a lack of availability and issues with scheduling, due to the high demand for training and competitive spaces, Oppie said.
The seven sports identified by the committee for the most need and effectiveness is predominately field based sports such as soccer, baseball and basketball.
In addition to scheduling problems, Oppie pointed to the lack of indoor training facilities as posing a predicament to training and competing due to weather concerns developed by the nature of the Laramie climate.
“The girls softball only has one indoor field and it is has a problem with flooding,” Oppie said. “They have a hard time competing right now – three teams fight over the field.”
There are three regulation softball fields and one baseball field. Two of the softball fields and the baseball field are on a five-year lease from the University of Wyoming. Additionally only one regulation indoor field exists at the 9th Street sport complex.
The indoor facility offers the only winter training option. The existing indoor training facility has no power or restrooms and relies on propane to light and heat the facility. Propane is the most expensive fuel source.
“In my years in the public service I have always found that building is the cheapest part, up-keep and maintenance always being the most expensive part,” Vitale said.
The existing report was a needs assessment, not a feasibility assessment. A feasibility assessment will be the next step in moving forward with the project. Such a study would assess the financial and logistical ability of the city to move forward with the project.
Vitale presented preliminary funding opportunities to the council. This funding option primarily relies on grants and private donations.
“I look forward to moving forward with this,” Councilor Klaus Hanson said.
Despite being in exploratory stages, the council and county commissioners agreed there is a need for new sports facilities.
“I couldn’t believe how much of a need we have,” Albany County Commissioner Herber Richardson said.
