Final phase launched for Old Stoney

It's time to apply for the second – and final – phase of the Old Stoney rejuvenation project, Andrea Wood of the Crook County Museum District announced last week.

Old Stoney has been open to the public as a cultural center for a while now, but only two of its three floors are complete.

Still awaiting the funding needed to fix it up is the top floor, which was the auditorium back when Old Stoney was a school.

On Tuesday, Wood requested the support of the City of Sundance in applying for the Wyoming Business Council grants to complete that top floor area.

The second phase would work very much like the first, she said, with the city acting as a "pass-through" for the money. It would be so similar, in fact, that the original contract could be re-used with a few simple changes of date, grant amount and so on.

Museum Director Rocky Courchaine outlined the plan, which will see the floor return to being, "The auditorium it was back in 1923."

It will also include a catering kitchen, bathroom and large and small meeting rooms. Completion will additionally add energy efficiency to the building, particularly through insulation in the roof, and round out the fire suppression.

Mayor Paul Brooks expressed that he will be particularly pleased about the energy efficiency, as that top floor is currently "unbelievably expensive" to heat. Through that alone, the project could pay for itself, he said lightheartedly.

Wood stated that she believes there will be "tremendous rental opportunity" for the facilities, once complete. The building will be able to host cultural events, weddings, conferences, conventions and more, and in the latter two examples will be offering facilities that are not currently available in Sundance.

Through this, she said, the museum district hopes Old Stoney will provide some economic benefit for Sundance and the wider community.

Wood said she feels confident about the success of the grant applications. At this time, she explained, the Wyoming Business Council is working with a better pot of money than usual, while the application has merit and is also the final stage of a long-running project.

Brooks agreed, noting that Old Stoney is the longest open Wyoming Business Council project in the history of the state.

"Let's close it," said Wood.

Due to time constraints, as the Wyoming Business Council recently pulled forward its grant deadlines, the council moved to allow the mayor to sign the contract once City Attorney Mark Hughes has completed it.