Greater Fort Laramie Community Center opens for public

Sandra Hansen
Posted 7/19/17

A solid, long-standing member of the Fort Laramie community will continue to serve area residents in its new life.

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Greater Fort Laramie Community Center opens for public

Posted

FORT LARAMIE – A solid, long-standing member of the Fort Laramie community will continue to serve area residents in its new life. The former Fort Laramie Elementary School has a new purpose in life – bringing the extended community together.
Saturday afternoon, July 15, the Greater Fort Laramie Community Center was introduced with a ribbon cutting and free community picnic.
During his comments, Mayor William “Bill” Baker thanked those who helped the Town of Fort Laramie acquire the property, and emphasized the facility is available to residents and organizations throughout the county and neighboring communities. He also thanked the Goshen County Economic Development Corporation and the local USDA office staff for their assistance in securing financing.
“We want to remind everybody that it isn’t just for the people of Fort Laramie,” Baker said. “It is for residents of this area. It’s all inclusive. That’s why we named it the Greater Fort Laramie Community Center.”
And it was a community effort to get the center ready for the open house. Volunteers helped clean and several brought pictures and other decorations from home to hang on the walls and set up the rooms as they might be used.

According to Baker, about one year ago, former community center owner Ron Pomeroy contacted the town about buying the property. Following numerous contacts with the GCEDC and the USDA, the sale was finalized for $47,000. The GCEDC Progress Program provided $20,000, and the USDA added $27,000.
“We thought it was a perfect fit to invest sales tax into community enhancement,” GCEDC Director Ashley Harpstreith said following the ribbon cutting. She noted that it was an opportunity to contribute GCEDC funds to smaller communities in the county. “This facility is going to be very functional,” she concluded.
Baker was impressed with the speed in which the purchase of the building and five acres was finalized.
“And we didn’t need a bank,” Baker emphasized.
“Ron Pomeroy approached the town about a year ago when he decided to get out of the community center business,” Baker explained. After examining the possibilities and potential for the town and surrounding communities, about three to four months ago those involved launched the major effort.
“We really want to thank Goshen County Economic Development, USDA, and especially Ron Pomeroy,” Baker said. “And the committee headed by Julie Rogers that put in a lot of hard work and long hours to make this happen.”
Available to the public are several classrooms that have been converted for public use, as well as a fitness center, computer lab, and basketball court. The facility, located across the street from the city park, is ideal for receptions, sports camps, children’s birthday parties, and other special events. An added advantage, Baker said, are the modest prices.
“It’s not just for the town,” Baker emphasized. “Our main goal is to break even, and make some improvements when possible. We hope people throughout the area will use it.”