Purpose of Briefing:
This briefing provides a summary of the condition, financial impact, and strategic rationale for the sale of the Laramie Athletic Fields (LAF) property and demolition of the stadium structure, along with alternatives for student and community use.
Board and State Actions
Public Meeting Held: December 10, 2025
Board Approval: December 10, 2025
Approved sale of property
Approved demolition of stadium structure
School Facilities Commission Approval: February 25, 2026
Educational Alignment
The Laramie Athletic Fields facility:
Does not enhance the educational program for students
Primarily functions as a maintenance storage site
Resources allocated to this site do not directly support instruction, student outcomes, or modern facility standards
Alignment with Wyoming School Facilities Guidelines
Actual Site Acreage
Defined by deed and SFD reporting
Disposition of Excess Property
The site qualifies as excess acreage
Can be sold, leased, or repurposed without impacting school operations
Funding Impact
Excess properties do not receive priority funding
Continued investment diverts funds from educational facilities
Separation Capability
Property can be separated and disposed of without disrupting school functionality
Financial Impact
Annual Costs
Water: $71,000/year
Grounds Maintenance: $65,000/year
Ongoing surfacing and upkeep costs
Operational Impact
Wyoming legislature reduced grounds staffing funded through the block grant
This excess acreage draws funding from the General Fund, impacting other district priorities
Deferred Maintenance:
Stadium repair needs exceed $1,000,000
Wyoming Legislature reduced the funding from last year by approximately $1 million annually in Major Maintenance capacity
Continued investment in this facility is not financially sustainable
Facility Condition Overview
The current condition of the Laramie Athletic Fields maintenance and stadium structures includes:
Severe ceiling deterioration and material failure
Evidence of water intrusion and long-term moisture damage
Significant mold and biological growth
Structural and finish degradation
Use of temporary mitigation measures (tarps)
Failing interior finishes and compromised ceiling systems
These conditions present:
Health concerns
Operational inefficiencies
Increasing liability exposure
Alternative Facilities and Community Access
Walking / Recreation Options Nearby
Labonte Park – 0.5 miles
Laramie Middle School – 0.65 miles
Athletic Field Alternatives
Laramie Middle School
Spring Creek Elementary
Linford Elementary
Laramie High School
Laramie Middle School Considerations
Current Use:
Track practice and events
Football games
Historical Context:
LMS previously used it’s own facilities for athletics
Shared use was not intended as a permanent solution
Future Needs:
If LMS is not replaced, facility upgrades at LMS will need to be considered
Existing facilities are adequate for games and programming
Strategic Rationale
The decision to dispose of the Laramie Athletic Fields property is based on:
Redirecting limited resources toward student-centered facilities
Reducing non-essential operational costs
Eliminating high-cost deferred maintenance liabilities
Aligning with state facility efficiency expectations
Supporting long-term district sustainability and footprint reduction
Recommendation
Proceed with:
Sale of the Laramie Athletic Fields property
Demolition of the stadium structure
Reallocation of funds toward:
Core educational facilities
Maintenance and operations efficiency
Future facility planning priorities
Attachment A: Facility Condition Photos
The following images document the current condition of the facility and support the need for demolition and disposition
