Cheyenne Councilwoman: Sure Rec Center Supporters Will Try Again

As local governing bodies begin deliberating on what sixth-penny sales tax proposals to put before voters next year, one member of the Cheyenne City Council says she expects supporters of a Cheyenne Recreation Center to try one more time to get such a facility on the ballot.

Ward III Councilwoman Michelle Aldrich, on the 'Weekend in Wyoming' program on AM 650 KGAB, said the council has already held a workshop on what proposal to put before voters in 2026.

When asked if she thinks a city rec center will come up as a possible project, Aldrich said ''I am sure it will come up again."

Such a proposal has been rejected by voters several times over the last three decades.

Aldrich says Cheyenne could receive about $70 million in funding for sixth penny projects if approved by voters. The city, Laramie County and other communities in the county can propose potential projects to be put on the ballot.

Aldrich Says The City Has Safety Needs

Aldrich says the city needs two new fire stations, for which the city has already purchased property. "There are a lot things that we need under public safety and other community things . While I would love to see a rec center, I think a lot of times people believe it would be free, and it would not be able to be free."

She says a significant monthly membership fee would probably have to be charged. She says a $100 a monthly family membership  was mentioned the last time such a facility was proposed. She says realistically it would probably be more like $150 a month now.

She also says Cheyenne already has the YMCA and several other gymnasiums.

Supporters of a rec center in past years have pointed to the fact that communities such as Rock Springs, Casper and Gillette, among others, have rec centers and say such a facility would give kids in Cheyenne something to do and would encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle.

The also have argued that a city facility could fill a niche that isn't available through private gyms.