Committee finds solution for kids

At last month’s meeting of the Moorcroft Town Council, a request for variance was raised by Black Widows coach Dan Schutt regarding use of the Moorcroft Town Center (MTC) gymnasium by the traveling girls basketball team.

Under current use fees, each of the nine players are obligated to pay $250 per month for use of the gym, the girls actually use the facility to practice four days during a month’s time. Schutt sought a variance from the MTC Committee, but was unable to find recourse. He then sought relief from the governing body.

Upon hearing the issue, the body returned the situation to the committee with the recommendation for a precedent taking into consideration future youth groups who may deal with the same situation.

The meeting of the committee, planned for last Tuesday evening, was cancelled for lack of a quorum, but at a workshop the night before, members discussed an option specifically for youth groups to be presented to the town council at the meeting on December 14.

This option allows each student participant to pay only a fee of $10 per month and the coach must maintain a fob at the normal monthly cost of $25.

Mayor Dick Claar, council liaison with the MTC committee, later shared his appreciation for the plan presented, but also agreed with the concern expressed by Councilman Paul Smoot at the earlier council meeting: “As long as the MTC is running at a deficit, we can’t just give it away.”