Casper, WY – Casper City Council will apply for up to $500,000 from the Sprinturf Leap program and head to improve the North Casper Sports Complex to match funds.
Through the Athletics and Play Program, local empowerment provides matching funds for projects that use synthetic grass as the main surface material. Grants from the LEAP program are regularly awarded to local governments, school districts and recreation-centric organizations.
The city aims to use its funds to upgrade softball diamonds, soccer fields and more.
“Synthetic grass provides an ideal solution, supports a variety of sports, withstands heavy usage and provides a high performance, low maintenance surface that ensures safe play conditions,” city staff wrote in a note.
The grant program can award matching funds up to $500,000, but the city has already been awarded $2,845,000 from the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. Combining funding, Zurima Lopez, director of parks, recreation and public facilities, said the project would not cut down on the city’s funding.
Recreation Superintendent Paul Zowada said switching to grass will save you money in the long term by reducing maintenance and irrigation costs. Lopez said switching to grass could add 20-30 years of life at the dream field complex.
City recreation manager Nick Whips said moving into a turf field would improve the field’s usefulness and lifespan.
“It can be used at the beginning of the year (or later) the year, and can withstand weather patterns,” Whips said.
