By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Kansas Tourism representatives dropped off a $12,200 check to the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Tuesday morning to help create a new amenity at Veterans Lake. Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, has a mission to inspire travel and bring new visitors to the state.
Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said the grant will help pay for a kayak rental service at Vets Lake.
"We take applications, and we are on a road trip to 14 different communities to present giant checks," said Jobe. "They are for communities with something new that will bring new visitors to the community. We were very pleased to see that Great Bend has an idea to keep visitors here longer."
The Great Bend Recreation Commission went over survey results at their board meeting Monday that showed most people were in favor of and would like to try a kayak rental service. The grant will assist in the expense to have eight kayaks or paddleboards available to rent, along with paddles and lifejackets.
City Administrator Brandon Anderson said a location at Vets Lake and the rental price are still being determined, but he was hopeful the service will be available to the public by next spring.
"We're still in the early stages of figuring out the price for the rentals," said Anderson. "Ultimately, this project will go to the Great Bend City Council to get final approval. We think it will be a good project that, with this funding from the state, will help push it to the finish line."
Great Bend was among 14 communities across the state that was selected for the fall 2023 round of Attraction Development Grants.