Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Sewer line work at VFW ball fields – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Despite the need for additional funding, Rawlins officials remain committed to improving the city’s Little League baseball fields.

In 2023, then Rawlins Parks and Recreation Director Jason Sehon announced that the Wyoming Little League association had agreed to host a state-wide tournament in Rawlins.

The six-day, 12-team tournament is scheduled for 2026, giving the city enough time to revitalize the neglected Little League fields at the VFW ballpark north of the county fairgrounds. However, the lack of regular maintenance by the city left the fields in an unplayable state, requiring extensive repairs to make them safe for play.

The governing body allocated $200,000 for improvements to the VFW Little League fields, with the funds evenly split between asphalt repairs and field renovations.

With less than a year to prepare the fields for the upcoming tournament, Councilman Bruce Seilaff requested an update on the project. At the October 7th Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill reminded the governing body what condition the VFW Little League baseball fields were in two years ago.

Since 2023, Public Works Director Dill said city crews have torn down the dilapidated concession stand and begun mitigating groundwater problems. Additionally, Dill said several remaining upgrades, including new scoreboards, fencing, and seating, must be completed before the 2026 tournament.

Dill explained that since taking over the city’s Parks Department this summer, he has had difficulty finalizing a design for the new concession stand that stays within the city’s budget. The Public Works Director said he is nearly ready to present the designs for Council approval.

Dill said he understands the importance of having the VFW fields ready for next year’s Little League tournament, but the area still requires significant work, particularly the concession stand. The Public Works Director said installing new water and sewer lines to the concession stand will likely require the city to set aside additional money for the project.

After Dill finished his presentation, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked if the water and sewer lines could be installed before winter. With the lines in place, crews can begin work on the concession stand as soon as weather permits.

Dill asked if the governing body would like the concession stand to be located in the same location as the previous building, the center of the VFW complex. Acting City Manager Mike Ward remarked that the area is prone to groundwater issues.

Councilman Seilaff responded that placing the concession stand on a concrete slab should mitigate the groundwater issue. Public Works Director Dill added that excess water could be diverted through the sewer system.

Vice Mayor Darril Garner asked Dill to present his design plans before the Council makes a decision.

Acting City Manager Ward asked Dill to update the governing body on the amount of money that has already been spent on the VFW field improvements. Dill said the Public Works Department has used roughly $30,000 of the $200,000 allocation. Next, City Manager Ward asked if completing the concession stand, water, and sewer systems would require additional funding, prompting Dill to say yes.

Councilman Seilaff asked if the $200,000 originally allocated by the governing body will be enough to complete the project. Public Works Director Dill said the money was for asphalt repairs and field improvements, not the concession stand.

To free up more funding for the concession stand, Vice Mayor Garner asked if any of the scheduled improvements could be postponed while still ensuring the field is ready for next year’s Little League tournament. Dill said the existing fields, irrigation system, and parking lot should be sufficient for the players.

Dill said the asphalt at the VFW baseball fields is in very poor condition, potentially causing problems for disabled spectators. If the governing body prioritizes the project, the Public Works Director said the water and sewer lines could be installed this winter as Councilman Seilaff requested. Once those items are completed, concrete and asphalt work can begin as soon as the weather warms.

Acting City Manager Mike Ward said he also shares the Council’s determination to complete the upgrades before next year’s Little League tournament. However, the Acting City Manager reminded the governing body that work at the VFW baseball field will coincide with several other high-priority projects.

The City Council agreed to wait until Public Works Director Dill presented the completed concession stand designs before moving forward with addition