07/10/2026
The LaFayette Wrestling community is so thankful for the support of the City of LaFayette. 🧡🖤
A successful program doesn't exist without the development of the youth!
Almost ten years ago, LaFayette Recreation started a youth wrestling program. Wrestling was a growing sport for our middle and high schools, and having a feeder sport at the recreational level would help develop the program for our students.
The program started in a small room at the then-ShopRite shopping center, and over the years has moved from the Old High School Gym to Max Stoker and back again. Growth has been tremendous, with last year boasting over 100 wrestlers — a 25% increase from the year before. The program has produced several state-level champions across multiple divisions and age groups, and the feeder program works closely with the schools to ensure an easy transition from recreation to school athletics.
This growth has come with growing pains, and the program has simply outgrown the space it currently calls home. We're proud of the program we've built, which is why we're happy to announce that the LaFayette Wrestling Recreation program will soon have a new home. The City Council approved a $659,000 project at its June meeting, using SPLOST dollars designated for recreational facilities, to build a wrestling facility near the Villanow Street entrance to the city-wide Pollinator Trail. The facility will feature an outdoor ADA-accessible restroom, a helpful addition to the trail system. Costs will be kept low by utilizing an existing steel frame already owned by the city, and in-house labor when possible. This includes the city's own project manager, Clay Tracy, who most recently oversaw the construction of Traverse Park.
Sitework has begun at the location, and the facility is expected to be complete this winter.
A dedicated home for this program has been a long time coming, and we couldn't be prouder of what our wrestlers, coaches, and volunteers have built over the last decade. We're excited to see the sport continue to grow right alongside our schools.