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(Casper Ice Arena, Facebook)
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Casper City Council discussed whether there might be any way for it to support adding a second ice sheet at the Casper Ice Arena.
Adding a second ice sheet and supporting facilities would cost an estimated $11.57 million, a July 2022 292 Design Group study estimated. User groups such as the Casper Amateur Hockey Club have said that if the City Council can commit some funding to the project, they will work to raise funds to support the facility’s expansion.
The cost for the expansion is likely to grow the longer a decision is put off. Pat Bower with the Casper Amateur Hockey Club told the City Council on Tuesday that user groups have been unable to concretely engage in fundraising efforts as the City Council has not offered any commitment to what it could contribute toward the project.
After a lengthy discussion on Tuesday, the City Council agreed it needs to give user groups a final decision one way or another as to whether it will support the expansion project. At the suggestion of Vice Mayor Bruce Knell, the City Council directed City Manager Carter Napier to complete research into what funding options may be available in time for the current City Council to make a decision about the second ice sheet by the end of the year.
Several different possible funding options were discussed Tuesday. One option some Councilmembers like Kyle Gamroth said they would support is asking voters to support a special-purpose “sixth-cent” sales and use tax.
Others like Knell said they weren’t advocating for a sixth-cent election. Knell noted that the renewal of the countywide “fifth-cent” general purpose tax is yet to be decided. Voters were asked to consider that during the 2022 General Election.
Napier mentioned the city’s Perpetual Care Fund and revenue bonding as other possible options for funding a second sheet of ice. Gamroth expressed opposition to relying on Perpetual Care. While he said it has around $30 million, Gamroth said that money is needed for care of existing infrastructure.
Councilmember Amber Pollock said that if a funding mechanism can be identified, she thinks the City Council should explore it as there aren’t always private partners willing to help fund projects.
Mayor Ray Pacheco said that whatever the City Council does, it should strive to give a clear decision to user groups rather than stringing them along into the future.
A range of other perspectives were shared during the meeting. Casper Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director Zulima Lopez also presented regarding the subsidy at the Ice Arena and possible ways to reduce it, such as starting to sell alcohol. The full discussion can be reviewed in the video recording of the work session:
A memo from Lopez is available below:
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