MONDAY, April 27, 2026 |
Photo – Floorplan for proposed Boys and Girls Club in Saratoga – Courtesy Town of Saratoga
Representatives from the Casper Boys and Girls Club met with Saratoga residents to discuss the possibility of opening a center in town.
In 2022, Saratoga attorney Nick Haderlie launched an effort to construct an indoor aquatic center to serve the youth of the Platte Valley. Haderlie’s fundraising effort garnered a sizable financial commitment. The high operating cost of the facility made the plan unfeasible. Haderlie set the project aside. He then settled on the idea of building a stand‑alone recreation center without a pool to offer residents an alternative to the Platte Valley Community Center’s gymnasium.
After hearing about Haderlie’s recreation‑center idea, Saratoga resident and Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming board member, Daney Tanner, put Haderlie in touch with the Casper-based youth‑service organization. Tanner had been pushing for the group to offer programs in the Platte Valley.
The organization’s CEO, Ashley Bright, met with Tanner, board member Ian Sandefer, and the Saratoga Town Council to discuss a proposal to construct a new recreation center and gym.
The club representatives also presented a memorandum of understanding to the town council which would allow the organization to build the facility on town-owned property between the Saratoga Middle High School and the library on West Elm Avenue.
In February, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming held a town‑hall meeting to gauge local interest in establishing a club in Saratoga. Speaking at the April 22nd presentation, board member Daney Tanner reported that residents were receptive to the idea. Attendees also said the town needed an additional gymnasium to supplement the Platte Valley Community Center.
Tanner said the second gym would be available to the town’s recreation department and Carbon County School District Two at no additional cost. With the added space, she said the town could host larger sporting events, bringing more revenue into the community.
Earlier in the year, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming conducted a survey to determine if Platte Valley residents would support a program in Saratoga. Board member Daney Tanner said 252 people responded, with 161, or 64 percent supporting the formation of a club. Respondents were also asked if their children would attend club programs.
Despite concerns from some residents that the Platte Valley does not have enough young people to support a Boys and Girls Club, Tanner said the survey showed that 198 children between five and 18 years old would be likely to use the facility.
Tanner said the club would operate after school, on non‑school Fridays and holidays, and throughout the summer.
Club CEO Bright presented a draft floor plan for the proposed facility. Bright said the Boys and Girls Club recreation center and gym is expected to be roughly 14,000 square feet. Another 8,000 to 9,000 square feet could be added if the town wanted a second gymnasium.
CEO Bright said the existing Platte Valley Community Center gymnasium does not meet the Boys and Girls Club’s strict security concerns.
The Boys and Girls Club representatives said the organization would not charge the town for use of the second gym, expecting only that the town cover utilities, maintenance, and janitorial services.
Bright said the Boys and Girls Club emphasizes academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development. Each section of the proposed recreation center will help the club achieve those goals.
The Saratoga facility will be overseen by the Boys and Girls Club of the Platte Valley, which will be made up of residents and local stakeholders.
That organization will operate under the umbrella of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, with the Casper office handling administration and support for the Platte Valley.
When asked how the organization intends to staff the Saratoga facility, board member Daney Tanner said survey respondents reported a willingness to work for the club. Tanner added that several residents have already inquired about a position.
Club CEO Ashley Bright said his organization will research the types of academic and sports programs Platte Valley residents would like to see. Bright added that affiliation with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America ensures that any programs offered locally have already been shown to work nationally.
Bright said the Boys and Girls Club of the Platte Valley will be open to all Carbon County residents, adding that he is exploring ways to provide transportation for children outside Saratoga.
Bright said the Platte Valley club is expected to cost roughly $9.5 million to build and $400,000 a year to operate. Board member Daney Tanner said residents have reported a commitment to donate more than $15 million toward the facility.
The organization said membership prices have not been set, but he expects regular club access to cost $10 annually, with summer programs offered for an additional fee.
Bright asked the town to sign the memorandum of understanding, giving the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming access to the proposed site on West Elm Avenue, saying a signed document would allow him to begin fundraising for the project. Mayor Chuck Davis told Bright the governing body could not approve the agreement outside a regular Town Council meeting. Mayor Davis said he will have Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip review the document with the intention of voting on it next month.
