By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Whenever the weather turns nice again, that was the response to when the kayak rentals will be available at two Great Bend lakes. The Great Bend Recreation Commission Board Monday approved the final step to purchasing a locker with four kayaks to be placed at both Veterans Lake and Stone Lake.
Great Bend Rec Director Chris Umphres said users will be able to rent a kayak through an online app. The user agrees to the terms of the rental service, which includes the use of the provided life jackets.
"Comments have come up about life jackets," said Umphres. "Those are all provided, but we're not going to police it. If they choose not to, then that's on them. It's their liability. They are provided and they're supposed to wear it."
A five-year contract with Rent.fun for the eight total kayaks costs $26,000. The Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau received a grant from the state and will contribute $10,000 for the project. The Great Bend Rec will cover the remaining $16,000.
The fees collected from users renting the kayaks are split evenly between Rent.fun and the Great Bend Rec.
"We split the proceeds," said Umphres. "We talked to the city about that just going back to the Veterans Memorial Park improvement fund. That way we're not sitting trying to nickel and diming trying to collect that. I think we just want to give the money out and do the project. Whatever comes in, goes right back to the park."
Umphres added he will lean on the city to determine the location of each of the kayak lockers. As of now, the thought is to charge $15 for the first hour of usage, and $5 for each additional hour.