TUESDAY, October 27, 2026|
Photo – Town of Baggs sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
County officials questioned the Little Snake River Valley Lions Club’s insurance coverage at the Russell Events Complex and Little Snake River Events Center and suggested the group purchase the property from the county to avoid any liability issues.
During the October 20th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting in Hanna, County Clerk Lisa Smith presented a lease agreement between the county and the Little Snake River Valley Lions Club. Clerk Smith said the agreement would allow the club to lease the Russell Events Complex and Little Snake River Events Center for $10 per year over a five-year term.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the lease agreement. However, before a vote could be called, Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett announced that the Little Snake River Valley Lions Club is required to provide proof of insurance for all activities held at the sports complex. Vice Chair Bartlett said she does not believe those documents have ever been submitted to the county clerk’s office.
Vice Chair Bartlett said the county should be protected against potential liability claims due to the types of activities held at the events center. She also suggested offering to sell the sports complex to the Lions Club. Commissioner John Johnson asked if uses outside of organized events, such as horse-riding practice, could also expose the county to lawsuits. Deputy County Attorney Ashley Davis replied that the club carries its own liability coverage and that Commissioner Sue Jones, who was not present at the October 20th meeting, was gauging the organization’s interest in purchasing the facility.
Attorney Davis said it was her understanding that the Lions Club was not interested in purchasing the sports complex and instead wanted to renew its lease for another five-year term. In the meantime, she said the county can still be held liable for incidents at the events center, even if the club maintains its own insurance coverage.
Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett noted that the county’s Local Government Liability Pool, or LGLP, insures county employees and volunteers working at the Russell Events Complex, protection not provided under the Lions Club’s policy. Attorney Davis said she was unsure if LGLP covers the types of events held at the sports complex.
While the contract term is for five years, Attorney Davis said either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice. Vice Chair Bartlett said she was comfortable approving the contract because the county could cancel it if the insurance requirement became an issue. Commissioner John Espy agreed, noting that the agreement had not been updated in years.
Carbon County Fire Protection District Chief John Rutherford noted that the Town of Baggs uses the Russell Events Complex to launch its annual 4th of July fireworks display. Municipalities are not required to obtain a fireworks permit from the Fire Protection District, but a permit is required for pyrotechnic displays held on county property. Rutherford said the Board of Commissioners should keep that in mind when considering the sports complex’s insurance coverage.
Following the discussion, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners voted to approve the lease agreement with the Little Snake River Valley Lions Club for the Russell Events Complex and Little Snake River Events Center. With the contract signed, the Board directed Deputy County Attorney Ashley Davis to review the sports complex’s insurance coverage. The Board also agreed to remind the Lions Club that it must submit a certificate of insurance for every event held at the facility.
