Compete Casper seeks renewed county support to keep state tournaments in Casper through 2030

Representatives from VISIT Casper and Compete Casper returned to the Natrona County commission to request a renewed funding commitment to keep Wyoming High School Activities Association state tournaments in Casper from the 2026 through 2030 school years.

Shelby Krause, identified as VISIT Casper staff and Compete Casper liaison, said Compete Casper helped secure bids and has hosted eight state tournaments across multiple years. The group asked the county to commit to continued annual support, historically $25,000 per year, either as a yearly allocation or a multiyear memorandum of understanding to help with planning.

Krause said Casper partners have already secured a $50,000-per-year commitment from the City of Casper for the upcoming cycle and noted private fundraising and grants supplement the event budget; Compete Casper reported raising roughly $300,000 in the last fiscal year for hosting activities.

Commissioners asked logistics and timing questions related to the county budget calendar; the county clerk said an invoice is typically issued in October and the commission's budget process would need to include the line item for 2026 funding. Commissioner Nick Glaesen said the commission would need the request entered in the next budget so there would be no funding gap.

Commissioner comments were supportive; commissioners said they valued the economic impact testimony given earlier in the presentation and asked the group to coordinate with county staff and the county attorney for an MOU or contract to be considered during the budget process.

Krause said Compete Casper had successfully secured the WYHSAA bid for another cycle and would follow up with the county on invoicing details and a draft MOU so the commission could consider the commitment during the upcoming budget approval.