By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Earlier this month, the public was invited to open house of the $4.8 million renovation for the Great Bend school district’s support services building. The facility on east 10th Street is the home for the district’s Central Kitchen and Maintenance, Grounds and Transportation departments.
The kitchen staff was able to make the transition to the new building in early July and maintenance and transportation staff moved in by early August. USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said it has been nice to see the departments get settled.
"Having a newer facility, something they can call home, it's neat to see them take ownership of the building," said Thexton. "They've been able to expand it even more than I thought it could be. They're starting to get their hands into it and make it their own."
With the move to combine the departments at the 625 East 10th Street location, USD 428 will soon have a couple of downtown Great Bend properties for sale. The old Central Kitchen was on Broadway Avenue, next to the library. The maintenance and transportation crews were situated at the intersection of 12th Street and Williams Street.
"We're looking to sell the old buildings once we get everything completely out and done," said Thexton. "We have some time before we get that taken care of. The plan is to have the old maintenance building and old Central Kitchen sold. Probably after the first of the year."
USD 428 purchased the building at 625 East 10th Street in December 2021 for $1.55 million.