Fairgrounds to get RV dump station

When WYDOT made the decision to close the rest area in Sundance earlier this year, the consequences for campers and RVs were perhaps unforeseen by most.

“We’ve lost the local public dump station,” said Doug Ramsey last week, speaking to the county commissioners on behalf of the Sundance Rod & Gun Club.

Whether local or traveling through, RV owners no longer have a place to empty their gray and black water tanks. Not only is this an inconvenience, it’s also a potential health hazard if owners seek alternative sites, such as ponds and creeks.

To solve this issue, said Ramsey, the Rod & Gun Club would like to fund and oversee a project to install a dump station at the county fairgrounds, located between the campground area and the last big barn.

That way, explained Facilities Director Larry Schommer, “The dump station will be right next to the campground.”

Ramsey explained that the club feels this project would be of benefit to residents of the county and city a well as tourists.

While the station is unlikely to get too much use this late in the season, said Ramsey, the hope is to have it ready for next year. It will have a concrete basin to prevent water from flowing into the creek, a drain flowing into the city sanitary sewer and a hydrant for washing down tanks with a sign explaining it is non-potable water.

Commissioner Fred Devish questioned who would maintain the dump station once the Rod & Gun Club has constructed it. Ramsey explained that the club would like to hand the finished facility over to the county and suggested placing a donation box next to it, the proceeds of which could be used for any needed maintenance.

There will be “no expense to the county” to install the station, Ramsey said. Once it is in operation, the expenses will be limited to the water and necessary maintenance; Schommer stated that he does not anticipate much maintenance will be needed.

Should it transpire later that the costs to maintain it are higher than anticipated, Schommer suggested the issue can be looked at again and the county could consider a solution such as a pay-as-you-go system. Ramsey requested that, if this were to be found necessary, Rod & Gun Club members be allowed to maintain their free access to the station.

“I think it’s a great idea,” commented Commissioner Jeanne Whalen, who felt the station would protect the county’s assets by discouraging dumping in creeks or elsewhere.

The Sundance City Council agreed when Ramsey approached them later that day, with Mayor Paul Brooks calling it a “worthy project”.

“I would rather they dumped by the pond instead of in the pond,” agreed Council Member Joe Wilson.

Both city and county representatives expressed a desire for the construction to be done properly and according to all applicable specifications. The council did not see an issue with allowing a tap onto its utility systems where necessary.

The commission asked County Attorney Joe Baron to work on a memorandum of understanding for the project. The council later directed City Attorney Mark Hughes to review it and, if Hughes deems it acceptable, approved the mayor’s signature on the agreement.