GILLETTE - Cam-plex is losing high-dollar events that it once hosted to newer and bigger event centers in Colorado and all over the nation.

Now, managers of the Gillette facility want a new $24 million "multi-use" center to attract more national and state events.

The new center would help Cam-plex retain the Great North American RV Rally and the World Horseshoe Pitching Championship, among other events, said Cam-plex General Manager Dan Barks.

Barks and the Campbell County Public Land Board, which manages Cam-plex, announced Tuesday a proposal for a .25 percent capital facilities tax to pay for the new building, which would also include a regulation-size ice arena.

If approved, the sales tax in Campbell County would jump from 5 percent to 5.25 percent. That means sales tax on a $100 purchase would rise from $5 to $5.25. Cam-plex officials estimate it would take about six years for the .25 percent tax to generate $24 million, and then the tax would go away.

"To meet the needs of the 97 events we turned away last year, the 68 events the year before that, and several national events we're not able to attract to Campbell County, additional facilities are needed," Barks said.

The proposal forces Gillette and Wright leaders to revisit the capital facilities tax issue, which has been the source of some animosity among Wright residents.

The county and at least two-thirds of the municipalities in the county must agree to put a capital facilities tax on the ballot. Here, that means all three entities: Wright, Gillette and Campbell County.

Wright, Cam-plex and Gillette Campus each made pitches for a capital facilities tax: Wright wanted a $2.5 million multi-events center and $830,000 for business infrastructure; Cam-plex wanted a $21.8 million for the multi-events center; and Gillette Campus wanted a $14.5 million diesel technology and training center.

But Wright vetoed listing the items individually on the ballot, fearing that its small voter base wouldn't be nearly enough to get approval for its project. Instead, Cam-plex withdrew its proposal, and the Gillette Campus and Wright proposals were grouped under a single initiative.

It was defeated in the November general election. And the episode drew ire from former and current Wright leaders, some whom even suggested Wright split from Campbell County because it doesn't seem to enjoy Campbell County's mineral wealth to the same degree as Gillette.

Wright could potentially veto the new ballot measure, but Wright Mayor Ralph Kingan said it's wise not to feast on sour grapes.

"I can't speak for the rest of the councilmen, but I'm for it," Kingan said in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

Barks and the land board met with Campbell County commissioners and Gillette City Council members on Tuesday to discuss the proposal, and they'll also meet with Wright leaders later this month.

Land board member Todd Hoese said his board isn't making any assumptions, and members realize they have to sell their proposal to all of Campbell County.

"We believe the community needs it, so we're bringing it to the voters to see if they agree," Hoese said.

If approved, the capital facilities tax could go before voters in May. If voters approve, construction of the 135,000-square-foot facility could begin in the fall.

Barks said Cam-plex has a tentative agreement with Campbell County Parks and Recreation to manage the ice rink and regular athletic programs at the new building. He said as sports tournaments grow in Wyoming, so does the need for bigger facilities to host them.

"One other event that we can no longer host is the Wyoming Amateur Wrestling Association championship," Barks said. "That event alone left $440,000 in the community. They won't be back to Gillette because the Central Pavilion isn't big enough. That event could be held in this new facility."

Energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 682-3388 or dzeffer@trib.com.