Update- 5-20-2025-  thanks to your support the city council has amended the resolution to close the civic center to now take effect in 2027 giving the city and task force 2 years to fully study the civic center, find the list of areas that need repair and the cost of those areas, and then a plan to gather money to complete repairs.

The immediate repairs noted by city council and mayor last meeting will need to be included in this years budget so we will be working hard with city council to get that money in this years budget cycle.

Update-  5-7-2025- Thanks to your support, we were able to convince the city council to table the motion until the next meeting on the 20th of May.  Great work!!

The work, however,  has only begun, we need to add a significant number to the signature list before the next vote.  In the mean time, the Mayor has challenged us with helping the city create a framework for keeping the Civic Center due before the next vote!  Please show your support and sign and share our petition!  Contact your city counselors!  

The Mayor has now indicated we need to find a solution to solve the fire alarm system issues, the leaks in the roof, and some mold mitigation in certain areas.  Initial verbal estimates for full replacement and mitigation of these three issues is 1 million.  Our task force is going to work a plan on these items.

The Rock Springs Civic Center has been an integral part of our community for decades, providing a safe space for recreation, a deep pool, rock wall, weight and exercise rooms, indoor golf range, gatherings, and events. Its closure would not only deprive Rock Springs residents of a valuable community hub but also disrupt the many programs that benefit individuals of all ages.

For years, the Civic Center has served as a venue for local sports leagues, educational workshops, and cultural events. It offers a variety of fitness and wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyles and well-being among residents. Closing it would mean the loss of an essential facility that has been proven to strengthen our community bonds and enhance our quality of life.

Financial difficulties have been cited as the primary reason for the potential closure. However, before taking such a drastic step, we need to explore alternative solutions that could involve community fundraising, business sponsorships, or applying for grants that support community spaces. Let's consider the successful model of partnership between public entities and private enterprises seen in other towns, which might bring sustainable funding without closing the doors.

Rock Springs residents have always displayed resilience and community spirit. Keeping the Civic Center open is not just about preserving a building—it's about preserving the heart and soul of our community. We urge the city council and stakeholders to look into all possible options to save this pivotal institution.   

Here is our 4 step plan:

The Civic Center undoubtedly needs dedicated money to repair it and bring it back to a normally maintained state, and yes that is not going to be cheap.  We seriously doubt, however, that the napkin math of 15 million needed all up front this year is even close to realistic.  Myself and a group of RS citizens toured the facility, reviewed the consultant report that was used to justify the proposed closure, and using a common sense approach, could not see how the facility needed 15 million this year to keep the facility safe and operational.  The 15 to 30 million by the way was not provided by the consultant that the city hired to review the facility.  No dollar amount was listed in the consultants report. 

One of the citizens that toured the facility is a professional diver and has been diving the pool for 20 years. He dove the pool this week and could not find a single crack in the pool floor that would be inductive of a pool failure or settling as you would see with concrete, similar to a home driveway or basement.  The city cites the pool not being level and pool tiles popping off as justification for structural failure, the diver's pushback is he thinks the pool has not been level in all of the years he has dove it, and the pool tiles are popping off in high traffic parts of the pool probably due to normal wear of the grout.  These are just a few examples of things that don't add up.

Our coalition proposes a four-step plan:

• Sign our petition showing support for further investigating a true cost to repair the facility and how much money would really be needed over the next 5 years. Attend the next city council meeting on May 6th to show support for the Civic Center if you can.  The City Counselors will be the deciding factor, we need 5 to vote to not kill it the Civic Center.  Email or reach out to your City Councilor and tell your expectations with regards to the Civic Center and our tax money City Council Contact Information.   We need to get at least 5 RS City Counselors to vote on the upcoming budget to keep the facility, we have time to do this.  

• Allow businesses and contractors to actually go on site and quote repairs of the building and provide a scope of work.  This actually has not been done yet by the city to our knowledge.  The city during the public hearing indicated it would cost money to have the work quoted.  Contractors who would do the work will give you an honest assessment. Develop a 5-year plan for repairs and maintenance, this is typical for any operating facility in the US.  A 5-year plan starts year 1 and 2 with the most critical repairs needed, then years 4 and 5 we address items that are cosmetic or less critical.

• Address our spending problem, re-align with citizen expectations of fiscal responsibility.  The city cites lack of funds to repair the Civic Center along with years of "deferred" maintenance.  However, looking at city council meeting minutes, it appears we just purchased $399,156 worth of new golf carts for the City Golf Course, plus another 30,960 dollars for GPS units for the golf carts for 60 months.  This is just one of many questionable purchases I am finding in the last 9 months of council meeting minutes. I like new things just like the next person, but if we have such critical funding issues in Parks and Rec that is causing us to choose which facility lives, and which is closed, do we need to instead spend money differently?    My proposal - First, spend money on the the need-to-have items, then, spend money on the nice-to-haves.  Some years a person has to spend money to fix their home and wait a year or two to buy the hot tub for the back yard.

• Seek sponsorship from local industries to fund the Civic Center and other parks and rec facilities.  To our knowledge, no-one has attempted this.  Many cities in Wyoming have done this for their facilities.  The City could offer an incentive to the businesses that want to chip in real money such as a discount on use fees for their company employee and family health and benefit program along with a plaque or name on the facilities.
  
  Your signature on this petition will support a cause that aims to bring together the entire Rock Springs community to find a workable solution. Together, we can continue to have a place where everyone feels welcomed and connected. Please sign this petition to show your support in maintaining a staple of our town's identity and unity.    Note: Please check "Display my name on comment on this petition" for it to carry weight with the City Counselors. 
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  • Also Note, when submitting your petition, Change.org asks for a donation to help share the petition, that donation does not go to the Rock Springs Civic Center Funding, instead to change.org, I am not asking for private donations for this petition and I don't think the donation Change.org asks for helps spread this petition.