Board approves Bighorn Recreation and Early Learning Center CUP after lengthy public hearing; supporters stress community need, some commissioners voice funding

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional‑use permit for the Bighorn Recreation and Early Learning Center, a proposed privately funded 31,000‑square‑foot recreation and early‑childhood facility to be sited west of the existing Big Horn School campus.

County planner Mark Fried presented the staff report and the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation (2–1) for the permit with five conditions addressing traffic/parking, engineered drainage, lighting, and building-permit requirements.

Residents raised both support and concerns during the public hearing. Kimberly Thomas, a Big Horn resident, said she supported the concept but worried about long‑term costs: "Although the initial transaction and construction is explained as a privately funded venture, it is the future cost of operation and maintenance that gives me pause," she said, asking if a business plan and reserve study exist.

Jeremy Smith, business manager for Sheridan County School District #1, and project backers responded that construction would be funded with private donations and major donors; the recreation portion would be operated by the recreation district and expected to be supported by memberships and grants. Smith said the facility also contains space for early‑childhood classrooms that the school district will use: "This is a fantastic facility, absolutely necessary for the continued growth of Big Horn," he said, and added the project has been vetted by the district and rec‑district boards.

Multiple community leaders—including community center operators, school principals, coaches and rec‑district board members—described tight gym-space constraints, safety and traffic benefits of relocating preschool classrooms, and the potential for the facility to host tournaments and after‑school programs. Project representatives said the building will use secured access controls for the early‑childhood wing and key‑fob/ membership systems for the rec side.

Several commissioners questioned whether ongoing operating shortfalls could require taxpayer support in the future. Project representatives repeatedly said the construction is privately funded and that any future public support would be determined by the rec district’s allocation decisions or future petitions to the rec district; the school district confirmed some portions (early‑childhood classrooms) will continue to receive public educational funding.

After discussion, the board approved CU‑25‑006 with the five recommended conditions from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion and accompanying vote authorized the permit; commissioners who voiced caution stressed a desire that operators demonstrate sustainable operations going forward.

What it means: Approval allows the project to move to permitting and fundraising closeout; building permits and compliance with traffic/drainage conditions must be satisfied before occupancy.

Next steps: Project backers said they will continue fundraising, finalize construction contracts, and proceed with county building permits per the conditions set by staff and the planning commission.