By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
There is room for one more, and we have the perfect location for it. Those are the words of Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes referring to Great Bend’s need for another hotel.
All hospitality
industries, including hotels, had their struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic with
a lack of people getting out. Hayes said hotel numbers have recovered and a
recent hotel study showed the city has room for another hotel with a priority
location next to the Great Bend Events Center.
"I lose at least four big conferences every year for them to come to Great Bend because we don't have a hotel right next to our Events Center," said Hayes. "That does hurt us. Could we fill those? Yes. With SRCA, Cheyenne Bottoms and our Sports Complex being full every weekend."
The Great Bend Hotel & Convention Center has remained closed for more than
six years. The hotel, just to the east of the Events Center at 3017 10th
Street, was purchased by Great Bend Economic Development last year. Eco Devo
intends to tear down the decrepit hotel and sell the property for the
construction of a new hotel.
RELATED STORY: Great Bend Eco Devo has plans for old hotel property
Hayes is confident that Great Bend will be able to fill the rooms of a new
hotel.
"There are a lot of people that come to Great Bend to work," said Hayes. "It might not be so busy after six o'clock at night, but they are coming here to play ball, go to the race track, use the Events Center and to shop. We just need to make sure we're utilizing them appropriately."
Great Bend collected more than $434,000 in transient guest tax in 2022. The 6%
guest tax is applied to anyone that rents a room at a motel in town. The 2022
amount was the most ever collected, surpassing the previous record by more than
$85,000 that was set in 2016.
Listen below to Hayes' full appearance on the City Edition show that aired on 1590 KVGB & 95.5 FM on April 12, 2023.