Motocross: Council votes to move forward

Last Thursday, Feb. 27, the town of Basin held a special work meeting at 6 p.m. The purpose was to hear from citizens of the town regarding a possible Motocross Track within town limits. 

Mayor CJ Duncan stated at the beginning, “As a town we are not building the track. I just want that clear to anyone here that is interested in the discussion. We’re not doing it. We are looking at the possibility of leasing a piece of ground to a club that would build it and maintain it and run it. That is what this meeting is about.” 

He continued that when the town was approached about leasing land, they looked at a few possible locations. The options are land owned by the town. Duncan said there are quite a few potential areas but the majority of them are not large enough. 

The original proposed area is directly west of the raw water pond. One concern heard from town residents about this location is extra traffic through residential areas. The route would be up A Street, behind the schools and over the canal.  

When questioned about the access by audience member Peggy Danna, Duncan said there is a possible access from Wyoming Highway 30. 

He continued that in his opinion the location by the raw water pond is probably the best area the town would be willing to lease out for the track. 

Danna also asked about how the noise would impact the school. She was told that 90% of the track activities would be on a Saturday. Duncan added, “Truthfully the school causes all kind of noise when they have a football game, when they have a basketball game it increases traffic flow and it’s town property.” 

“I don’t have a problem with the motorcross. I just don’t want it in anyone’s back yard or the dust because I don’t dust very often.” said Danna. She then asked if the track is on town property is the town responsible for the liability insurance. She was told the quick answer is no. 

Duncan continued that one potential location was by the sewer pond. However, with upcoming expansion of the pond, there is not enough room. So, the town pulled that location from consideration. 

Another possible location was by the cemetery. The town shied away from that location due to concerns about funerals on race days. Most Likely on Saturdays. 

Referring back to the potential location by the raw water pond, Duncan stated that much of the area straight south of the pond is already used by four-wheelers, side by sides, etc., by both youth and adults. “But access to that is extremely limited. It would come from A Street or through private property.” Danna replied that people hike out that way too. 

Duncan continued that as a town, they liked the proposed area, but they don’t necessarily like the access up A Street. “We want to listen to the people in the town. That’s their main concern … the traffic increase.” 

Audience member Lyle Ranta stated that if A Street is going to be an access there is going to be a problem. 

The major commented that A Street route is the easiest as the access off Highway 30 is a dirt road. Duncan replied that if thought out A Street would be like an emergency access. There needs to be access on both ends should something happen. But he can’t promise that A Street won’t be used as an access or parking. 

A question was asked about if the club was going to hold sanctioned races at the track. Josh Huggins responded that he was the one that brought the idea to the town. He is the VP of High Plains Motocross Association. He said they do plan to hold races on the track, but it wouldn’t be until 2026. He added there would be between 30-40 toy haulers coming in as well as big campers. Practice would start at 8 a.m. Racing would be done between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Huggins said he wanted the community to be behind the idea. He continued that there would be two big races a year. 

When addressing concerns about kids using the track after school, Huggins said the club would make sure there was no access during school hours. The track would be fenced off. 

Duncan pointed out that whether the track is built or not, the people that are currently riding in that area are going to continue to ride. “They are not going to stop. They are going to continue to use the canal road. We’re not going to outlaw it as a town council.” 

Questions and statements continued from the public. At the end of the public discussion Duncan stated if the club wants to build the track, pay for it and provide all the labor we would be foolish not to listen. Maybe the answer is no in the end. That is why we are here. We listened to the proposal. We all thought it was a great idea. It is an opportunity for some business in Basin to grow, to provide some things, to sell more. For us that is the bottom line. If we can increase the business and get more sales tax in Big Horn County, then we all prosper. We do want to be respectful of the community members.” 

Ranta asked about the ice-skating rink that the town was to replace after the property was sold to the school. Duncan said the rink is discussed each year. The discussion includes location and cost.  

A regular council meeting was held following this meeting. 

The council voted to move forward with a 3 to 1 vote to lease the property to the club. Councilman Dellos voted no.