By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Changes are coming to Pawnee Rock. In March, Pawnee Rock Revitalization received $50,000 from the Brad and Jeanine Haynes Advised Fund, in memory of Jeanine's parents, Keith and Marian (Schmitt) Mull. Barton County matched those funds. Wednesday morning, Revitalization Member Jon Prescott briefed the commission on projects.
"Pawnee Rock is the first impression for travelers coming from the west," Prescott said. "That's the first impression of Barton County. Historically, it has not been a real good impression but that's going to change."
Along with that first $100,000, the Haynes Advised Fund has contributed another $50,000 for playground equipment. The Golden Belt Community Foundation has contributed $10,000. TruStage, formerly CUNA Mutual, has donated $10,000, and private individuals have contributed approximately $2,000. TruStage would like its donation to be used for flowers, flowerbeds, and work on the restrooms. The company is willing to pay its employees to volunteer.
"Even though they wrote a check for 10 grand, they're going to be writing a bigger check as they pay their staff to come over and volunteer with that flower and beautification project."
The 20-foot by 40-foot pavilion the city ordered was delivered on Mother's Day. A local contractor has volunteered his services to help put up the pre-fab structure on Saturday, June 3. Prescott said donations from the Haynes Fund allowed the city to purchase a new Fun Factory that is being liquidated by American Playground Company. The city will save 50 percent and pay $37,500.
Prescott said there are now 72 children living in Pawnee Rock. Four families have moved into the community in the last year, two homes are being totally renovated, and one home is taking advantage of Great Bend Economic Development's Brush Up BC paint grant.
Prescott did receive permission during Wednesday's commission meeting to have certain roads around the July 22 Pawnee Rock Hard Rock Run reduced to one lane of traffic during the event.