Local Donor Allows for Steam Room Upgrade at Rec Center

The City of Cody recently received another generous anonymous donation of $50,000 from a patron to upgrade the steam room at the Paul Stock Rec Center. The public announcement was made at the City Council Work Session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. These sustainers of Cody (as opposed to founders) make Cody a better place to live.

Cody has a long heritage of generous supporters of the community. Paul Stock, who donated the land for Cody High School’s football field as well as the land for City Park and money for the bandshell, along with many of his contemporaries, set the stage for a community that knows how and when to give to benefit the entire community. His foundation still gives back to the community today.

In fact, his foundation paid for the aquatic side of the rec center 25 years ago, while the community raised funds for the other half. It was truly a community effort to add this facility to Cody.

Most current sustainers prefer to remain anonymous, as in the case of the Rec Center patron who is making the upgrade to the steam room possible. This same patron has given similar donations in the past that have helped the rec center fix the HVAC and install the dry sauna and cold plunge.

Upgrade Plans for the Steam Room

The current steam room will receive new plumbing, tile, and a manual start timer that should solve the current issues arising from the age of the steam room. First installed over 20 years ago, it’s time to upgrade for the community to use it for many years to come. The tile work alone will cost around $30,000. The textured tile planned for the floor will have a wood look.

In addition, the anonymous donor helped to make the Cold Plunge a reality. There are now plans to add a deck shower, as there is a slight problem when people go from the hot tub to the cold plunge. Each uses a different chemical to keep them sanitized – bromine for the cold plunge and chlorine for the hot tub. These two do not mix well, and it’s clogging up the pipes on the cold plunge. The deck shower to come will be located between the two, and will help alleviate that issue with a quick rinse.

Upkeep Challenges

With the aging infrastructure, the City of Cody, which maintains it, plans for repairs. About five years ago, they looked at the possibility of getting new boilers. They were still in great shape, and there would be no cost savings in replacing them, so for now, they are checked regularly.

“This year the City plans to replace the membrane portion of the roofing. In the winter, big icicles grow above it and can puncture the membrane, causing leaks,” said Mike Fink, Recreation, Aquatic and Public Facilities Superintendent.

The Pool Deck, which is currently fine, may need an upgrade in about ten years. And the HVAC is old enough that some components are no longer made. Looking ahead to repairs is a reality with a facility of this size and age. 

Some in the community have questioned whether the cost of the facility is worth it. Mayor Reiter has said that the Rec Center was never intended to be a money maker for the city. It is addressed almost as an indoor city park – no park in the city makes money, either, but it is a part of what makes living here so enjoyable. The Rec Center offsets a portion of the costs through memberships, but those are kept affordable for community members.

Having community sustainers make donations like this stretches the City’s budget further and benefits the entire community, but every donation matters. Everyone giving as they can is part of what makes Cody, Cody.

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