By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Building a paintball course in Great Bend started as a suggestion from a youth, made its way to research and plans, but city officials are doubtful they will be able to execute the construction of a course.
After the .15% quality of
life sales tax passed in November 2021, a 13-person committee formed to create
a 10-year capital improvement plan to guide how the tax collections should be
spent. The creation of a paintball course was listed as a possible project to
complete. Great Bend Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns said he is ready
to move past paintball course idea.
"I've kind of struck out on the paintball," said Burns. "Just with some of the locations and the liability, the netting. I honestly don't think that's going to happen, but as far as other projects go I'd be all for it."
Initially, there was thought to place the paintball course north of the Great
Bend Expo Complex. For insurance purposes to protect buildings, vehicles and
bystanders, city officials were told a 20' tall netting, at an estimated
$80,000, would be needed. To get away from the Expo Complex, a wooded area, located
a mile south of town by the Arkansas River, was suggested as a site.
The Great Bend City Council will look for other youth-related projects to
invest in.