Casper council hears pleas from youth baseball as city advances North Casper athletic improvements

Members of Casper Youth Baseball urged the Casper City Council on Nov. 4 to preserve the organization’s long-term access to the Field of Dreams and to provide clearer, earlier notice about construction tied to the city’s North Casper athletic improvements project.

Bethany Moore, who identified herself as the newly elected president of Casper Youth Baseball (CYB), told the council the group’s current lease expires in August 2026 and asked why the city is discussing facility upgrades on the eve of that expiration rather than renewing the lease or negotiating terms now. "If the work is not done in time, it'll interrupt our season," Moore said, asking for a meeting between city staff and CYB leadership and for clarity on ownership of fields, equipment and buildings.

Brian Voss, equipment and safety manager for CYB, described the program’s scale and reliance on the complex: "We have 600 kids… We have six fields to divide 600 kids on," Voss said, urging councilors to "think with your hearts" when weighing the impact on participants.

Interim City Manager Lopez responded that the CYB arrangement dated to a 20-year lease executed when the facility was built; that lease now comes to term in August 2026. Lopez said the city took advantage of a Wyoming outdoor recreation grant and ARPA funds to secure a once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunity for improvements in the North Casper area — timing that led to recent investments. "Nothing nefarious there in terms of intention of when we were making investments," Lopez said, adding that the city will invite CYB to appear before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and that staff will work with user groups to minimize disruption. Lopez also said construction scheduling depends on contractor selection and on working out a timeline with the selected firm.

Councilor Pollock told CYB representatives that user groups have a standing opportunity to appear before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and noted staff will work to restore contact information and improve outreach. Nick Whipps, identified in the meeting as interim Parks and Recreation director, was named as a staff contact for follow-up.

The council adopted a broad consent agenda that included a contract authorization for the North Casper Athletic and Recreation Complex Improvements (project no. 24-57a), listed in the consent resolutions read aloud as item 7a4. The consent agenda passed with all councilors voting aye; the clerk read the list of associated professional-service and construction items that were approved as part of the consent package.

City staff told CYB representatives the city will work to limit interruption to the 2026 season where possible and that the turf upgrades are intended to expand use earlier and later in the season and increase field capacity once installed.

CYB leaders asked the council for documents and transparency related to prior agreements they believe governed investment and property use; staff said they would search historical records and provide contact information so the new board can appear at advisory meetings.

The council did not take any separate, standalone vote specifically approving a new lease during the meeting. Any future lease negotiation or short-term arrangement would be addressed through the Parks and Rec process and subject to council approval if required.