Mayor Joel Peterson discusses Cowley’s new community center

After nearly a decade of careful planning and dedication, Cowley’s new community center is finally nearing completion. The project, which has been spearheaded by Mayor Joel Peterson, promises to be more than just a meeting space. It is set to serve as the heart of the town, offering a venue for local events, town functions and a critical facility for emergency response.

“This project has been about eight years in the making,” Peterson said. “It started when we purchased the building, which was originally a garage and workshop for Cowley High School. Since then, we’ve worked to transform it into something the entire town can use for all kinds of activities.”

The new center, once fully operational, will host everything from town council meetings and birthday parties to weddings and corporate training sessions.

The new community center is unique in its design. Not only will it serve as a space for everyday events, but it has also been specifically outfitted to operate as a disaster relief hub.

“We’re preparing this building for a range of uses,” Peterson said. “In the event of a major emergency, the center will be able to shelter up to 300 people, and we’re adding showers and finishing the kitchen so it can be fully equipped for extended stays, if necessary.” 

Peterson emphasized the importance of the center’s role in emergency situations.

“This building will be a critical resource for the entire Big Horn Basin,” he said. “Cowley might be a small town, but we’re planning ahead for any situation, whether it’s a flood, severe weather or another disaster. This center is designed to help not just our town but surrounding communities in times of need.”

The facility will feature backup power generators, ensuring it remains operational during power outages.

“We want to be prepared for anything. Having a building like this in place means that if the worst happens, we’ll be ready to take care of people,” Peterson said. 

Cowley has a deep history, one that Mayor Peterson is particularly proud of. A lifelong resident of the area, Peterson described the town’s origins as a settlement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1900s. 

“Back then Cowley was a bustling town,” Peterson said. “We had two grocery stores, a gas station, a lumber yard and everything a town needed. But when the Yellowtail Dam was built, it changed everything. Small farms couldn’t survive, and the population shrunk to just over 360 people.”

In the years since, Cowley has slowly rebuilt itself. The town’s population is now around 850, and the local economy remains rooted in agriculture. However, many of its residents commute to nearby towns for work, giving Cowley the feel of a “bedroom community.” Despite this, Peterson believes Cowley has maintained its small-town charm while steadily progressing. 

“We’ve made a lot of improvements,” he said. “Our water system, which taps into artesian wells, is one of the best in the region. And we’ve added amenities like a splash pad, community pool and baseball field, all designed to make Cowley a great place to live.”

The centerpiece of Cowley’s recent growth is the new community center, a project that has been a labor of love for Peterson and the town council. Purchased over a 15-year period, the building has undergone significant renovations, transforming from a high school workshop into a modern, multipurpose facility.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure this building can meet the needs of the community,” Peterson said. “We want it to be a place where people gather for important town events but also where they celebrate life’s special moments like weddings, birthdays and graduations.”

Even before it’s fully completed, the center has already been put to good use. 

“We’ve hosted everything from a graduation night to weddings and even corporate training sessions. The building’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths. It’s truly a space that can accommodate anything, “ he said. 

One of the most significant aspects of the new center is its modern, accessible design. 

“The old building we used for town meetings was just too small and outdated,” Peterson said. “It wasn’t handicap accessible, and it didn’t have the features we needed for larger events. This new building is designed to be fully accessible and adaptable, with state-of-the-art technology like sound systems and projectors for educational and professional use.”

Peterson also noted the building’s potential for future community activities.

 “We’ve talked about using the space for things like movie nights or class reunions,” he said. 

While the community center has been well-received by many, Peterson acknowledged that there were some initial concerns from residents.

 “A few people questioned whether we really needed such a large project,” he said. “But we’ve done this gradually, over eight years, and we’ve kept the costs manageable. Once people see how much the building can do, whether it’s for a wedding, a town meeting or disaster relief.

“This center was designed with long-term goals in mind. It’s part of a larger plan to make sure Cowley is not only a great place to live but also a safe and resilient community in the face of emergencies.”

As Mayor Peterson and the town council continue to work on finalizing the center, there’s a sense of excitement about what the future holds. 

“We’ve come a long way,” Peterson said, reflecting on his 14 years as mayor.

“This community center is just one example of how we’re working to make Cowley a place where people want to live and stay. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited to see how this building will serve the town,” he added.