(CASPER, WY) JANUARY 23, 2025 –
On January 6, 2025, after 18 months of construction, the WYO Sports Ranch, a 130,000 square foot indoor sports complex, opened its doors and welcomed its first athletes.
“We are so excited to deliver this facility to Casper and to Wyoming. It isn’t often that a group of people can bring a project of this magnitude to a community on time and under budget,” says Luke Gilliam, WYO Complex Executive Director. “It was a great feat by an exceptional team of people, businesses, and community leaders. This community really rallied around our vision and the result is a place you want to be, a place you want your children to be, and a place the community can gather.”
The design of the facility began in 2021 by Casper-based Stateline No.7 Architects. In early 2023, the WYO Complex hired FCI Constructors of Wyoming, LLC (FCI) and construction began in June. A priority of the WYO Complex Board of Directors from the beginning was to use as many Wyoming based sub-contractors as possible. Because of this, they awarded $24M of the project to local, Wyoming contractors. “It was important to the Board, that this facility be built with as many Wyoming hands as possible.” says Board Treasurer Jessica Hastings. “The project came in nearly $2M under our construction budget through value engineering, cost savings measures, and even some in-kind donations from many of those Wyoming contractors. We saved money, but we didn’t cut corners. This is a facility our community and the region can be proud of.”
The facility boasts 6 permanent basketball courts (or 12 permanent volleyball courts) and over 35,000 sq. ft. of indoor turf that can be transitioned into 4 more basketball courts (or 8 additional volleyball courts). It features a state-of-the-art sports performance center for sports training and injury prevention education for its young athletes. There are community team rooms, a sports medicine room, and a space reserved for referees and officials. The WYO Sports Ranch also features a full grill and concessions area.
The WYO Sports Ranch opened with a bang and is running full steam ahead with its plans for 2025.
In its first week of operations, WYO Sports Ranch Volleyball Club (WYORVC) kicked off with more than 300 youth volleyball players. The WYO Sports Ranch added in turf time for the Casper Soccer Club, basketball practices for the local high school teams, and opened its Sports Performance Center with a volleyball-focused training program. It also hosted the Griddy Up, a flag football tournament with over 100 local youth athletes competing on the WYO Sports Ranch turf.
On its second weekend of operation, the WYO Sports Ranch hosted the Altitude Tip-Off, a youth basketball tournament with over 60 teams. “The Altitude Tip-Off was such a fun event. 543 athletes played 110 games all under ONE roof, and to top it off, we welcomed, 5x NBA Champion, Ron Harper into the Sports Ranch to shoot around, sign autographs, and talk with kids,” said General Manager Joe Hanson. “We had over 1500 spectators and served over 275 cheeseburgers! It has been a few really great weeks. It was awesome to see how many kids we had in the facility and how many spectators we were able to accommodate the last few weekends.”
And they are just getting started. Before opening, the WYO Sports Ranch anticipated 24 weekend tournaments for 2025; however, there are already 38 events committed and the facility is targeting nearly 50 for the year.
The WYO Sports Ranch was a dream of a group of people who saw a need in our community. One of those dreamers was Trudi Holthouse, President of the McMurry Foundation and daughter of the late Mickey and Susie McMurry. “My parents tried to pour love and support into a community they loved. My dad always focused on the economic impact of projects while my mom wanted to help as many children as she could. The way I see it, the WYO Sports Ranch combines everything that meant the most to both of them,” Trudi said. “They would be proud of this building, this community, and the future of Casper and its youth.”
The WYO Sports Ranch was a $52 million project brought to fruition through numerous generous donations. The facility is 100% privately funded and is owned and operated by a non-profit group, WYO Complex. “It started with a generous lease from the City of Casper for the land and from there the community really stepped up to bring this project to Casper,” says Board President JR Boyles. “Without the support of local foundations, businesses and community leaders, this project would not have been possible.”
This week the WYO Sports Ranch held its official Grand Opening. It marked the culmination of construction and a time to celebrate a community that rallied together to bring great things to Casper and to Wyoming.
To find a calendar of events and register or for more information on the WYO Sports Ranch and WYO Complex, visit wyosportsranch.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
