Council reviews VFW fields renovation plan; $200,000 previously allocated, sewer and building costs remain unfunded

The Rawlins City Council received an update on renovations at the VFW fields near Shreve and Daly streets and discussed next steps to ready the site for a regional Little League tournament.

Staff said the city previously allocated about $200,000 to the project—approximately $100,000 toward field repairs (infields, outfields, irrigation, dugouts and related work) and roughly $100,000 for asphalt/parking work. As of the update, staff said about $30,000 had been expended—approximately $20,000 on electrical work and $10,000 on rock for groundwater remediation. No funds have been allocated yet for sewer, water or the concession building itself.

Parks staff said the previous concession structure had been demolished after sinking caused by groundwater; the site still requires groundwater remediation, sewer and water service connections, and decisions on the building footprint and ADA access. Parks staff proposed getting utility work (water and sewer) and a concrete pad in place before winter so the building construction could proceed in spring. One council member asked whether the groundwater was from a broken city line; staff said on‑site residual tests would be conducted in spring to confirm and that past work indicates the water level is seasonal groundwater, not a leaking main.

Why it matters: the tournament organizers require reliable facilities and ADA‑accessible circulation; without additional funds for sewer, water and a building, the council would need to allocate more funds or modify scope. Staff said they would return with cost estimates for sewer and water and recommended moving utility work forward if possible prior to frost.

No formal appropriation was made at the meeting; council asked staff to prepare cost estimates and options and to prioritize utility work that could be completed before winter.