(CASPER, WY) June 13, 2024 – After four and half years at Visit Casper leading the sales office, Luke Gilliam has begun his tenure as the Executive Director of WYO Complex.
WYO Complex is the entity responsible for bringing the WYO Sports Ranch to life. Born as a humble idea to create more court space for the youth and sports groups for our community, the WYO Complex team has worked tirelessly to realize that dream and so much more.
WYO Complex is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization charged with funding the project, managing the operating and leasing contracts, and ensuring the long-term impact this facility can bring to our communities.
As mentioned, the original idea for this facility was simply to create more court space for those in the community who need it. Starting as a facility with four courts and being largely rentable space for youth sports teams, the idea evolved over time into a facility that would not only provide space, but it would bring opportunity to kids and families around the state and the region. The WYO Sports Ranch will have six permanent basketball courts in the east wing, and a permanent turf field in the west wing. The facility will have four removable courts to overlay on the turf to create even more space for larger tournaments.
In June 2024, almost three years since the original idea sprouted, the WYO Sports Ranch aims to be a sports tourism juggernaut, a youth sports hub for any and all skill levels and age groups, as well as a premier training facility for athletes looking to compete at the highest level.
The WYO Sports Ranch’s mission is to be inclusive of athletes at every level! Whether just starting or training for Olympic glory, the WYO Sports Ranch wants to serve all youth in Casper and beyond.
Outside of bringing large sports events to Casper, the WYO Sports Ranch, operated by Sports Facilities Companies, will be developing in-house programming as well as supporting existing programming through space rentals and program partnerships. The WYO Sports Ranch will also house a state-of-the-art performance training center, a full kitchen for concessions. It will host one-of-a-kind events, concerts, and community celebrations like The Mercantile, a Wyoming tradeshow coming to CNFR Week in 2025.
The WYO Complex is excited to have Luke at the helm as we move towards the finishline of construction and into operation. “Sports have been a passion of mine my entire life,” Gilliam says. This opportunity to take part in making Casper a sports hub for the state of Wyoming and into the rocky mountain region was an opportunity and a story I didn’t want to miss out on. I really believe the WYO Sports Ranch is one of many amazing developments coming to Casper that will reshape this community for the better and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Gilliam added, “If you would like to bring an event to the WYO Sports Ranch, please reach out to GM Mike Gaffaney and his team to discuss all the possibilities.” The programming team can be reach at events@wyosportsranch.com.
For more information about the WYO Sports Ranch, follow us on Facebook or visit wyosportsranch.com
Gilliam ended by saying, “Everyone involved is extremely excited to open the doors of the WYO Sports Ranch and see what amazing things can happen there.”
The WYO Sports Ranch is on schedule to open its doors in January of 2025.
To inquire about the project or receive more information on donating, please contact info@wyosportsranch.com. For information on sports and programming, contact events@wyosportsranch.
