Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins Rochelle Ranch Golf Course – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins officials selected a new concessionaire for the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course.
During Tuesday evening’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner presented a concessionaire agreement between the city and Timothy Carlson, owner of the Crowbar and Grill in Laramie. The contract authorizes Carlson to operate the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course restaurant from May 1st through October 31st.
Councilman Terry Patterson asked why the contract runs for only six months instead of the usual year. City Manager Matt Hall said Carlson preferred to operate only through the summer. If the arrangement works for Carlson, Hall said the city is open to renewing the lease agreement.
Hall said he hopes Carlson, a Rawlins native, is willing to renew the concessionaire agreement beyond October.
City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave said the six‑month contract will allow Carlson to determine if the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course meets his needs and gives residents an opportunity to visit his restaurant.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked if the contract clearly outlines who is responsible for maintaining the city‑owned facility, noting that previous concessionaires were unclear about those obligations. City Manager Hall replied that Attorney Maberry‑Nave made certain the agreement specified those responsibilities.
The city attorney added that the contract requires Carlson to carry his own liquor license, independent from the city.
The city’s liquor license applies only to the golf course, preventing the concessionaire from serving alcohol anywhere else. According to city staff reports, the previous operator, Win Haymond, failed to follow those provisions, prompting the city to terminate its agreement with Haymond’s 19th Hole Restaurant in January 2025.
The city attorney said the contract also permits Carlson to operate a mobile concession cart to serve food and drinks to golfers on the course.
The agreement states that the city will be responsible for maintaining the mobile concession cart.
A clerical error prevented the contract from being uploaded to BoardDocs, the city’s online meeting organizer. Vice Mayor Darril Garner said he was uncomfortable signing the agreement without having the opportunity to review it and asked if the council should delay a vote until an upcoming special meeting. City Manager Hall said Carlson is prepared to open the golf course restaurant on May 1st, and any delay would make that difficult. Hall added that he, City Attorney Maberry‑Nave, and Carlson all reviewed the contract and found it in order.
Satisfied with Hall’s assurances, the Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to sign the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course concessionaire agreement with Timothy Carlson. The restaurateur is required to pay the city $950 a month in rent.
