By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
If you drive by the south end of the Brit Spaugh Park in Great Bend, you’ll
see a small ballfield, old horseshoe “courts” and a gravel parking lot. That
could be changing soon. The City of Great Bend and Great Bend “Quality of Life”
sales tax committee have upgrades to the park high on their priority list.
A master plan of an outdoor basketball court, pickleball courts and mini soccer
pitch on concrete or synthetic surfacing are all getting serious thought for
the spot just north of Park Elementary School.
Great Bend Recreation Commission Assistant Superintendent and sales tax
committee member Chris Umphres said it would be wise to consider the whole
master plan before starting.
"Obviously, this project could get really big, but if there is a cost savings by doing all three that's something to look at" said Umphres. "If you do a basketball court, pickleball court and mini pitch...all concrete projects...there is some cost sharing there."
The City of Great Bend has $60,000 set aside for the basketball court. Private
donors and the Recreation Commission have considered the project as well.
Great Bend voters passed a .15% sales tax increase last November to go toward “quality
of life” projects. Estimations calculate the tax will generate $565,000 per
year.
The sales tax committee discussed contributing funds to the Brit Spaugh Park project this year. Many of the city council members were also in favor of paying for part of the project upfront and to be reimbursed through the sales tax initiative later.