By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Last year, the Great Bend City Council approved the development of a Master Fee Schedule, which lists all the fees charged by the city. The city council plans to approve the list at their next meeting and will review the schedule annually.
The most significant change in fees that brought forth the most discussion at Monday’s meeting was the increase to make use of the Great Bend Events Center.
In order to make the Events Center profitable, Convention
and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes suggested bumping up rental fees
and also charging renters the time they spend setting up and tearing down for their
event.
"Right now, if you have an event on Saturday, you get Friday and Sunday for free to clean up," said Hayes. "We have to get rid of that. We think you should pay half price any time you're in those rooms. If you think about it, we're giving away $1,500 (for the main ballroom) in just two days alone."
The current rental price for the main ballroom at the Events Center is $1,000.
The suggested increase would take the room to $1,500. Each set-up or tear-down
day would cost $750, or half the price of the specific room that is being
rented. There would also be food/alcohol fees assessed to the renters’ bill
based on how many guests attend. For example, an event including food or
alcohol with up to 24 people would be charged a $50 fee. An event with 600
guests or more would be assessed a $750 fee.
Mayor Cody Schmidt noted the importance of making the Events Center profitable
knowing that future improvements to the property will be needed.
"The Events Center is really nice and really big," said Schmidt. "It serves the right need for the right events. Raising fees may force people away, but there are other places in Great Bend to accommodate them. We want it booked every weekend, but it opens the door for other things."
Pool parties at the Wetlands Waterpark will also increase from $150 to $200 per
hour. The full list of fee changes will be approved at the Dec. 19 meeting.
Facility Rentals at the Events Center
B-29 Superfortress (Main Ballroom) - Full Room
Current price: $1,000
New price: $1,500
B-29 Superfortress - 1/2 Room
Current price: $750
New price: $950
Fort Zarah Room
Current price: $250
New price: $300
Santa Fe Trail Room
Current price: $250
New price: $300
Additional days outside of standard rental
Current price: $100
New price: Half price of the room
Food/Alcohol Fees
0-24 People: $50
25-100 People: $100
101-250 People: $250
251-400 People: $400
401-600 People: $600
600+ People: $750
Key/Security Deposit: $500