Cody leaders hope voters will approve a multi-million dollar renovation of the Cody Auditorium — and over the next two months, they’re hosting a series of informational sessions at the site to showcase the need.

“Nothing really drives it home until you tour the building,” said Cody Mayor Lee Ann Reiter.

The city’s first session is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the auditorium (1240 Beck Ave.), followed by additional tours on Oct. 8, 13 and 28.

The intent is to share information with Park County residents before they vote on a proposed $19.28 million sales tax hike in November. The proposal would include $9.8 million to revamp the Cody Auditorium, $7.9 million to construct a new Powell Senior Center and $1.58 million to help the Town of Meeteetse buy a trash truck, upgrade its pool and senior center and complete other projects.

If voters OK the measure on Nov. 3, the county’s sales tax rate would temporarily rise from 4% to 5%. After the $19.28 million is collected, the extra 1% would go away.

Bad bathrooms and more

Reiter said the roughly 85-year-old Cody Auditorium has a lot of history and is “used heavily by everyone in Park County.” However, an assessment conducted in 2024 noted several problems and shortcomings with the building.

They include outdated and inadequate electrical infrastructure, a potentially unsafe heating and cooling plant, dilapidated rain gutters, a worn-out wood floor, likely asbestos and “extremely limited” accessibility for people with disabilities.

“Of particular concern is that a public building, which is utilized for both public and private events, does not have a single restroom that can be considered ADA Accessible,” Plan One / Architects wrote in the report.

Budget breakdown

A “Redevelopment Roadmap” that was compiled this spring by engineers and designers says $4.4 million is needed to just “keep the facility operational and compliant.” That includes expanding and upgrading the bathrooms to meet occupancy and ADA requirements — an endeavor that will require reshaping the front of the building — removing asbestos and improving the electrical equipment.

Another $2.3 million is earmarked for improving things like the HVAC systems, commercial kitchen and lobby, with $700,000 to make the basement a functional space with breakout and small meeting rooms. Cody boosters have said that could help attract more convention-type events to the city.

Rounding out the budget is $1.2 million for design and engineering work and a $1.2 million contingency fund to cover any unexpected expenses that pop up as crews begin working on the building.

“It’s not [that] we’re trying to be fancy,” Reiter said. “We got to bring the building up to code, and … shore it up so it’s here for another 50 years.”

She said Cody officials are open to hosting sessions in Powell or Meeteetse, “but it’s probably [the most] beneficial just to meet at the auditorium, so you can actually see and feel what we’re trying to accomplish.”

For more information about the project and the city’s tours, visit tinyurl.com/44j38823.