TUESDAY, September 1, 2026|
Photo – Image of proposed concession stand – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Rawlins officials approved starting work on a new concession stand at the VFW baseball fields.
In 2024, the City of Rawlins tore down the dilapidated concession stand at the VFW Ballpark on Daley Street. Later that year, Rawlins Little League President Dawn Arce informed the city council that most of the league’s income came from food and snack sales. With the stand gone, Arce said the city hurt the organization’s ability to bring in money.
At the time, then-Parks and Recreation Director Nikki Howell suggested purchasing either a new food‑storage shed or trailer to replace the demolished concession stand. At least one member of the governing body did not believe the city should be responsible for installing another structure. Speaking at the October 1st, 2024, Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Chris Weisenburg expressed his support for funding recreation opportunities. However, Councilman Weisenburg said the city isn’t obligated to provide Little League with a new concession stand.
The city council changed direction at the October 15th, 2024, meeting, where then‑Mayor Terry Weickum pledged the governing body’s support for a new concession stand at the VFW Ballfields.
Crews recently finalized a 24‑by‑20‑foot wood‑frame concession stand design with interior space set aside for food preparation, at an estimated cost of $200,000. Before construction can begin, however, the city must replace the failed water and sewer lines that served the old structure.
During the August 18th Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Matt Hall asked for authorization to begin reconstructing the underground utility lines at the VFW Ballfields.
City Manager Hall explained that the proposed concession stand meets all the city and Little League’s requirements. He added that the job should be completed by next summer.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked why a wood-frame structure was chosen over a prefabricated building. City Manager Hall said the finalized design was chosen by the Rawlins Little League board members.
Public Works Director Cody Dill added that the selected concession‑stand design is still expected to fall within the city’s $200,000 estimate. However, he noted that the final cost will depend on the contractor chosen for the project.
Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the kitchen area would include food‑service wall coatings such as fiberglass‑reinforced plastic, saying those materials are required by the Wyoming Department of Health. Public Works Director Dill said the request for proposal, or RFP, specifies that health‑department‑approved wall surfaces must be used.
Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council authorized crews to begin replacing the water and sewer lines at the VFW Ballfields and to seek contractors for the concession‑stand construction project.
