The town of Evansville may soon get a new community center, if Mayor Phil Hines has his way.

The mayor met with the Natrona County Board of Commissioners Thursday to ask for their help in securing grant money for a $1.5 million project to turn an empty building into a community asset.

The building, formerly a town shop, was a double-wide mobile home connected to a concrete block building near the entrance to Evansville. The town recently built a new shop and dismantled the mobile home so all that's left standing is the concrete building.

Once refurbished, Hines said, the building would be three times its original size and available to the entire community.

"It's going to make the town of Evansville - the entry way into it - much nicer," Hines said, adding that the facility is "badly needed, and I'm here to beg and plead for your consent."

Evansville hopes to apply for a Wyoming Business Council grant to pay for the center, but said that type of grant requires the town to partner with another government entity.

All the commission has to do is sign an indemnity agreement, Hines said. "It won't cost you a damn dime."

The commission partnered in a similar way with Mills, he said, and the indemnity agreement he's hoping commissioners will sign is essentially the same as the Mills agreement.

"I am so excited for you guys," said Commissioner Barb Peryam. "I know what a difference that [project] made in Mills and for you to have this for your citizens, because you're growing as much as you are - it's terrific."

"I don't see a down side," agreed Commission Chairman Rob Hendry, as long as the county isn't financially obligated to the project.

Commissioner John Campbell warned the other commissioners that while he will vote in favor of the project, it could prevent them from acquiring grant money from the Business Council for other upcoming projects.

County Attorney Eric Nelson will "wordsmith" the indemnity agreement slightly - the intent will stay the same, but Nelson will make a few stylistic changes and add some information - before the commissioners officially vote at their next regular meeting on Dec. 2.