Nonprofit to Reopen Shuttered Hanna Recreation Center

Volunteer-run group plans to partially restore access to town's former recreation hub.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A group of Hanna, Wyoming residents have formed a nonprofit organization called the Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center to partially reopen the town's shuttered recreation facility. The group plans to take over operations of the closed 31,000-square-foot rec center, which has remained vacant and fallen into disrepair since its closure in 2024 due to high operating costs. The nonprofit aims to reopen portions of the building using volunteer staff to reduce expenses.

Why it matters

The Hanna Recreation Center was once a hub for the community during the town's coal boom years, but its closure left residents without access to important recreational amenities. This volunteer-led effort to revive the facility represents a grassroots attempt to restore some of those services on a more sustainable basis.

The details

The Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center is a three-member nonprofit founded by Dorn Hetzel, Carbon County Comet owner Mike Armstrong, and resident Katrina Powell. They plan to lease the building from the town for $1 per year and cover utilities, while the town will provide water, sewer, and landfill services. However, the group will not be able to afford restarting the building's full heating system, so they intend to run hot water lines only to the restrooms to prevent freezing. Members may have access to the saunas for a small donation to cover electricity costs.

  • The Hanna Recreation Center was built in 1983 during the coal boom.
  • The facility was closed to the public on July 31, 2024 due to $300,000 in annual operating costs.
  • The Hanna Town Council will hold a special work session on February 17, 2026 to discuss the nonprofit's proposal.

The players

Dorn Hetzel

A member of the Hanna Recreation Board and one of the founders of the Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center nonprofit.

Mike Armstrong

The owner of the Carbon County Comet newspaper and a founder of the Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center.

Katrina Powell

A Hanna resident and founder of the Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center.

Hanna Recreation Center

A 31,000-square-foot recreation facility in Hanna, Wyoming that closed in 2024 due to high operating costs.

Hanna Town Council

The governing body of Hanna, Wyoming that will review the nonprofit's proposal to reopen the recreation center.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Hanna Town Council will hold a special work session on February 17, 2026 to further discuss the nonprofit's proposal and work out the details of the agreement.

The takeaway

This community-driven effort to revive the Hanna Recreation Center represents a grassroots approach to restoring important public amenities in a town struggling with the decline of its once-thriving coal industry. While the nonprofit's plans involve some compromises, it demonstrates the determination of local residents to find creative solutions to keep the facility operational.