Laramie County School District No. 1 temporarily waives facility fees after public pushback over YMCA closure

The Laramie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees voted to temporarily waive recently adopted facility-use fees districtwide, effective Tuesday, Sept. 22, through Jan. 12, 2026. The motion — proposed by a trustee and seconded on the floor — passed after several residents described how the fees would affect local club sports and after the board tied the change to the recent YMCA closure.

Why it matters: Speakers said the fees would price out community-run programs that provide after-school supervision, skills and scholarship pipelines for students. “Programs like the Gladiator Wrestling Academy provide affordable, accessible outlets where kids can channel their energy in a positive way,” said Iyanna Dowdy, a community member, during the public-comment period. The board’s temporary waiver aims to preserve access while staff and trustees consider next steps.

Public testimony framed the debate. Parent Jerry Marriott told the board the new rates threaten community cohesion and make club sports unaffordable for multi-child families, saying higher costs risk pushing youth toward destructive activities. Trinity Warner, a former South High student calling from college, described a personal outcome: she said off-season work with a local wrestling club led to a full scholarship at Grand View University and urged the board to “rethink these fees, work with club sports, and create a partnership.” April Ojeda, representing local coaches and club leaders, criticized the district’s comparisons to other jurisdictions and raised concerns about how the fee would be applied to smaller spaces such as high‑school wrestling rooms; she also cited a $45 personnel category in the proposed schedule.

Board action and scope: The motion adopted by the trustees waives facility-use fees for scheduled facility use during the specified window but leaves all procedural requirements in place, including scheduling through the facility scheduler, proof of insurance, supervisory staffing, and availability constraints. The motion directs staff to return to the board with an update at the January 12 meeting. Trustees emphasized the waiver is temporary and not a repeal of the fee schedule adopted in the prior month.

Details from the record: Several commenters said the YMCA’s imminent closure had reduced available community space, increasing the stakes for clubs that primarily use school gyms. Speakers cited differences between the district’s proposed fee structure and Natrona County’s approach (which public commenters said uses an hourly rate and a $10 per‑participant monthly fee for long‑term use and exempts student‑related and nonprofit activities). The transcript records community estimates (a club being charged roughly $1,000 per month and South High purchasing mats for approximately $45,000), which were given as examples of financial strain; the board did not verify those dollar estimates on the record.

What’s next: The waiver is temporary; the board scheduled an update and further discussion at its Jan. 12, 2026 meeting. During the interim, district scheduling and insurance rules remain in effect. The board also signaled willingness to engage industry and community partners about broader access and program support.