Torrington local news summary

Council Approves Loan for Major Street Project

New Ordinance Sets Hours for Pickleball Courts

Council Approves New City-Wide Events, Debates Fee Waivers

Boiler Issues Continue at Municipal Pool

Thompson Family Expresses Gratitude for Sports Complex Renaming

1. Council Approves Loan for Major Street Project

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The City Council approved a resolution authorizing a $5.5 million loan from the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board to fund the street portion of the large-scale construction project on East D Street. The loan, which carries a 5% interest rate, will supplement the $1.28 million in urban systems funding already secured for the street portion of the project. City Clerk-Treasurer Lynette Strecker noted the loan documents had only recently been received from the state, despite the loan being approved by the board in February 2025, and that their timely approval was necessary to begin paying contractors.

2. New Ordinance Sets Hours for Pickleball Courts

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – In response to the popularity of the new pickleball courts and plans to install lights for evening play, the City Council approved a new ordinance on its first reading to establish specific hours of use. To mitigate noise in the adjacent residential neighborhood, the ordinance will restrict the court’s hours to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. These hours are more restrictive than other city parks, which are open until midnight on weekends. A timer will be installed on the new lights to ensure they shut off automatically at 10:00 p.m..

3. Council Approves New City-Wide Events, Debates Fee Waivers

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The council approved special event permits for two new public events. A permit was approved for the Christian Motorcyclists Association of Wyoming to host its State Rally at Jirdon Park on Friday, August 22. The event will feature slow-speed motorcycle games for adults and bicycle games for children. Following discussion about potential noise in the residential area and confirming the organizers had provided a certificate of insurance to cover liability, the council voted to waive both the permit fee and an estimated $53 in city costs for barricades. The council also approved a permit for SONrise Church to hold a summer worship service and barbecue at Pioneer Park on Sunday, August 17. Organizers confirmed the event is open to the public. The approval included refunding the $200 permit fee, which had already been paid. This led Councilman Deahl to ask for a clearer definition of what constitutes a community event eligible for fee waivers, though the mayor suggested the current ambiguity allows the council to use its discretion.

4. Boiler Issues Continue at Municipal Pool

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – A report on city bills revealed ongoing issues with the boiler at the municipal swimming pool. A bill was presented for repairs to the boiler performed by Gering Valley Plumbing and Heating. While council members expressed hope that this would be the final fix, it was clarified that the repair is temporary but should get the pool through the remainder of the summer season. The pool is now heated and operational, and complaints have reportedly diminished.

5. Thompson Family Expresses Gratitude for Sports Complex Renaming

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The council meeting began on a heartfelt note with the reading of a letter from the family of the late Art Thompson. Rick Thompson, Art’s son, extended the family’s “sincere and heartfelt thanks” for the “incredible honor” of renaming the Torrington Sports Complex as the Art Thompson Sports Complex. In the letter, Rick stated the gesture “means more to us than words can fully express” and that seeing his father’s name tied to a place for young athletes is “deeply moving.” Art’s passion was building community through youth sports, and the family feels the renaming keeps his spirit alive in a meaningful way. A formal dedication ceremony is scheduled for the following evening, July 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the complex.

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