Poll: Does The Closure Of The Cheyenne YMCA Mean We Need A Rec Center?

The Cheyenne Family YMCA closed "indefinitely" last month after being a part of the Cheyenne community since the 1950s.

Officials with the YMCA of Northern Colorado, which had overseen the Cheyenne Y in recent years, said operating the facility was no longer financially viable. CEO Chris Coker told Townsquare Media in September that at the time of the closure the Y  membership count was around 800. He said ideally it should have about 2,500 memberships, but it could have stayed open with around 1,800.

But the YMCA was more than just a gym, offering afterschool daycare and youth athletic programs among other things.

So does this mean it's time to bring back the idea of a publicly funded rec center? Similar proposals have repeatedly gone before Laramie County voters over the past 20 years of so on the sixth-penny sales tax ballot.

They have always been defeated.

But another sixth-penny vote is slated for 2026. We don't know yet what items will be on the ballot, but even before the Y closed there was some discussion of yet another rec center proposal. The closure of the Y may give that idea added momentum with the idea of replacing some of the programs traditionally offered by the YMCA.

Cheyenne City Council member Michelle Aldrich, on the ''Weekend in Wyoming" earlier this year, said ''I am sure it will come up again."

That was prior to the closure of the Y, but it seems unlikely that the end of the Cheyenne YMCA will do anything to decrease the possibility.

Arguments In Favor OF A Rec Center

Supporters have long argued that a rec center is needed to give kids more activities, and with the closure of the Y, some might say such programs are needed now more than ever.

Typical arguments in favor have included the following:

''Other Wyoming towns, including Casper, Rock Springs, Gillette, and others have recreation centers. Why doesn't the largest city and state capitol of Wyoming? There isn't much for kids to do in Cheyenne, especially in the summer. 

Kids with too much time on their hands get into trouble. Besides, we should encourage people to live healthy lifestyles and exercise. And a rec center could fill a niche that isn't being offered by private gyms.''

Arguments Against Rec Center

While supporters of a rec center may argue that the closure of the Y changes the discussion, opponents are not likely to agree.

Arguments against a rec center include: it's not the government's job to pay for recreation center. We already have private gyms, sports leagues for kids, and after-school programs. Why do we have to spend tax dollars for more?

It is too expensive, Cheyenne has other issues that we should focus on. Tax-funded facilities should not compete with private businesses.

There is also a sentiment among some opponents that the voters have already clearly spoken in the issue, and that "No means no.

It is too expensive, Cheyenne has other issues that we should focus on. Tax-funded facilities should not compete with private businesses.

There is also a sentiment among some opponents that the voters have already clearly spoken in the issue, and that "No means no.

So what do you think? Take our poll and give us your opinion!