Rec center project moves forward

by Trey Wilkinson

A recreation center project in Marbleton that started approximately two years ago is continuing to move forward, as the Big Piney-Marbleton Joint Powers (BPMJP) board recently presented the Sublette County Commissioners, Marbleton Town Council and Big Piney Town Council with survey results showing community interest in such a facility.

Since the project received a go-ahead from the towns and county commissioners two years ago, an established land committee was formed to pursue possible land purchases, a survey committee was formed to seek out top interests and create a survey with a list of ideas for functions in the facility, and a Joint Powers Board was formed to look at survey results and have an architect company design a plan.

The county, Town of Marbleton and Town of Big Piney purchased land in the Eiden Subdivision in Marbleton in June of 2006, which was set aside for the recreation center.

According to BPMJP board chairman Angie Smith, the proposal is for the center to include a full size gym, auxiliary gym, rock climbing wall, two racquetball courts, entertainment room, yoga/dance room, office/conference room, teen room, daycare facility, workout room, men’s/women’s locker rooms and an elevator going to a suspended walking path.

“We are all very excited and motivated to get this project on its way,” Smith said. “It's been a while in the making but I believe we have some solid ground work and will continue to make great bounds of progress.”

At a March county commissioner meeting and March town council meetings the BPMJP board presented officials with survey results that showed over a 70 percent interest from the community in favor of a recreation facility, according to Smith.

The board is now in the process of contacting other communities that have a recreation center to gather more information.

“Contacts have been made with several surrounding facilities and we plan to visit the Kemmerer and possibly the Jackson Hole facilities,” Smith said.

The BPMJP board was established as a Joint Powers Board in September of 2005 after the land purchase, however, those officers’ terms have since expired and new appointments were made earlier this month.

The board consists of Angie Smith – chairman; Richard Kail – vice chairman; Sue Hoefer – secretary/treasurer; and other board members Suzan Truluck, Jackie Arthur and Bill Tanner.

The board will hold its next meeting April 10. Following the meeting the board will announce a public interest meeting to answer any questions and ask for community volunteers for the committees needed.

“We would like to encourage everyone to watch for the public interest meeting date,” Smith said. “It's very important we get community support if they want this center.”