By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Kiwanis Club received $50,000 from the Robert and Patricia Schmidt Foundation to assist with improvements at the By-Pass Park on the east side of town. Last spring a design for the remodel was priced at more than $685,000.
The Kiwanis Club is redirecting the grant to the Great Bend Recreation Commission Foundation to be used at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Rec Director Chris Umphres said he was able to find a playground to be installed at the Complex in that price range.
"If we can get this on order, the plan is to get it before the summer," said Umphres. "Spring baseball is right around the corner. This probably takes six weeks to get. If we're on it when it comes, it'll be a quick turnaround to get this installed. Hellas Construction is familiar with the complex and turf. If we use their turf, they have an opening to put the equipment in."
The Great Bend Rec Board approved the purchase of a Volte Climber from Procor Play & Recreations for $42,000.
Umphres said the remaining grant money will be used for the installation, and any additional costs for the install and turf surfacing could be shared by the Rec or the City of Great Bend.
"One reason for the turf versus a cheaper route of doing mulch...with it being that close to the pavilion, we do have mulch at our playground and kids pick that stuff up and move it around," said Umphres. "With it being a main area, I think turf would be better. Not only with fall height but with ease and maintenance."
The playground feature will be 36' x 29' and will be geared for children ages 5-12. The proposed location for the playground will be between fields three and four, near the pavilion. A net structure will go over the top to protect children from foul balls.
When the Great Bend Sports Complex opened in 2012, the master plan included a playground for the public use.