Fostering Community Wealth: The Economic Impact of WYO Sports Ranch in Casper
For over forty years, the Ford Wyoming Center (formerly known as the Casper Event Center) has overlooked the city of Casper as it’s grown and evolved alongside the local community. However, in 2025 the FWC is expecting a new neighbor on the hill – the WYO Sports Ranch!
If you haven’t heard the word circling around the region yet… imagine a place where sports, community, and economic growth converge to create a thriving hub of activity and opportunity right here in the heart of Wyoming. This vision is becoming a reality with the coming of the WYO Sports Ranch. As the anticipation builds, it’s clear that WYO Sports Ranch is more than just a youth sports facility; it’s a catalyst for community wealth and economic expansion. Something that will collectively raise all citizens, businesses and families in Casper.
A Closer Look at WYO Sports Ranch
The WYO Sports Ranch is destined to become a cornerstone of not only Casper, but for Youth Sports Out West. Standing proudly above the heart of Wyoming, this 131,000 square foot multi-sport training, recreation, and entertainment facility forges state-of-the-art technology with modern amenities to position itself as one-of-one in the region. Inside the 52 million dollar facility, you’ll find pristine court and turf surfaces, flexible court space, and professional on-site staff that serve as a forever home to:
- 10 basketball courts
- 20 volleyball courts
- Permanent indoor turf
- Ample, first-class spectator seating
- Special event, convention, and tradeshow space
- Opportunities for mat sports, dance/cheer, and baseball/ softball
- And so much more!
The highlights alone prove that this state-of-the-art, iconic venue is ideal for hosting tournaments and events of all sizes; from clinics and camps to sports performance training and practice opportunities. However, although built with a focus on youth sports opportunities, the flexible space allows for multiple uses for a variety of different events. Beyond competition, the facility will draw conventions, trade shows, and other staple social gatherings.
It’s clear to see that no matter what brings people out West, WYO Sports Ranch has the space to hold them right here in Casper, Wyoming. Yet, if you’re wondering what this larger-than-life addition means for our city and local economy on a grander scale… you’re not alone (& we’re here to put the pieces together!).
Economic Benefits to Casper
Job Creation
One of the most immediate impacts of WYO Sports Ranch will be the creation of numerous jobs in Casper and Natrona County. During the construction phase alone, the project has employed a diverse workforce, providing much-needed employment opportunities in various sectors. However the WYO Complex, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization behind the venue, has already hired permanent staff to manage and promote the WYO Sports Ranch in preparation for the grand opening in January 2025. Upon opening their doors in the new year, additional core staff will be added to the team to oversee day-to-day operations and expand the legacy. This influx of jobs will not only offer stable employment to the local people that we cherish and value, but have a significant positive effect on local employment rates and household incomes.
Tourism and Local Spending
If Casper’s authentic expression, small town hospitality, and wide-open opportunities wasn’t already catching nationwide attention; the WYO Sports Ranch is set to become a major attraction, drawing visitors from across the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. As tournaments, training camps, and sporting events bring athletes and fans to Casper year-round; the local tourism industry will flourish. “We’re estimating 24 tournament weekends per year, which is almost every other weekend that there will either be a massive state regional or national tournament event up on top of the hill,” said Glenda Thomas who is the Vice President of the WYO Sports Ranch.
Local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses stand to benefit greatly from increased patronage – stimulating economic activity and growth! The multiplier effect of this spending will ripple through the local economy, adding to the vibrancy and prosperity of the place that we choose to work, live, and play.
Business Opportunities
The presence of WYO Sports Ranch will open up endless business opportunities in the Oil City. Local vendors and service providers will find new markets for their goods and services while new endeavors and entrepreneurs will connect with their higher calling. All of which will foster a dynamic business environment and enhance the current landscape. Additionally, sponsorship and advertising opportunities associated with events at WYO Sports Ranch will provide Casper businesses with valuable exposure, enhancing their reach and profitability with audiences that matter most.
Community Engagement
Youth Engagement and Development
WYO Sports Ranch is not just about economic benefits; it’s about fostering the development of Casper’s youth. By offering robust sports programs and events, the facility will engage our young people in healthy, constructive activities. These programs will help develop local youth sports leagues and training programs, providing a platform for young athletes and competitors to hone their skills and expand their inspiring social networks. Scholarships and educational opportunities linked to sports participation will further empower Casper youth, setting them on a path to success of their own making that has not quite been offered in Casper before.
In addition to championing our youth’s biggest dreams, the WYO Sports Ranch will encourage young athletes and professionals to invest back into the community that raised them. “When we can build something like this (and show that we can do it together as a community), it shows kids what’s possible. That it is possible to do in Wyoming. You don’t have to leave to do something cool. You can do it here!,” Kyle Ridgeway of Mountain West Technologies expressed.
Health and Wellness
Promoting health and wellness is at the backbone of WYO Sports Ranch’s mission. The facility will provide the community with access to high-quality sports facilities, encouraging an active lifestyle. Community fitness programs and events will be organized to promote physical well-being, making Casper a healthier and more vibrant place to call home for generations to come.
As Trudi Holthouse of the McMurry Foundation shared, “What we know about families is this: active adults have active children. Active children tend to: have a lower obesity rate, participate at a higher level in school, go into secondary education, and become adults that contribute to their communities. So let’s give them an opportunity in Casper and Wyoming to start participating so that we have this building block of health and wellness. The WYO Sports Ranch invites families to cultivate those healthy habits while spending quality time together in the present.”
Long-Term Economic Growth
Real Estate and Infrastructure Development
The establishment of WYO Sports Ranch is expected to spur real estate and infrastructure development in the surrounding areas – something we like to refer to as the “Halo Effect”. New housing projects and commercial spaces will emerge, catering to the growing demand driven by the influx of visitors and new residents. Infrastructure improvements, such as enhanced transportation and public services, will further support this growth, making Casper a more attractive destination for businesses and livability alike.
In conclusion, WYO Sports Ranch is more than a sports facility; it’s a beacon of opportunity and growth for Casper. By creating jobs, boosting tourism, and fostering community development; it promises to build community wealth and drive economic expansion.
Not to mention, the WYO Sports Ranch will have a profound impact on the health, wellness, and future prosperity of youth in Natrona County and beyond. As Beau Covert of Platte Valley Bank stated “Everyone wants to leave the community a better place for their children, but what’s more important is leaving better kids for our community.”
As we look to the future (and countdown to the grand opening in January 2025), the excitement surrounding WYO Sports Ranch is stirring. We’re looking forward to the WYO Sports Ranch taking shape in our community and leaving a lasting impact on the place that we love.
For more information on how you can get involved or learn more about Youth Sports Out West, visit their website. If you’re looking to be a part of Casper’s growth or relocate your business to a city that is economically driven and community inspired, get in touch with our team at Advance Casper.
