By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Kayak rentals are still on schedule to be available to the public by the end of this month in Great Bend. Users need to download the Rent.fun app and create an account. Once downloaded, citizens will scan the QR code located on the kayak locker, either at Veterans Lake or Stone Lake.
Great Bend Recreation Commission Director Chris Umphres and Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said there will be a local contact for the rentals.
"Derik Schneider is the contact for this," said Umphres. "He was chosen from an interview."
"Derik will be doing the maintenance on the kayaks," added Hayes. "If something breaks, it's usually reported through the app. Derik would be the one to make sure everything is taken care of."
Users will remove the kayak, paddle and lifejacket from the locker and then enjoy their ride for an allotted time. Once their rental time is over, citizens will return the equipment to the locker and select “End Rental” in the app.
Great Bend plans to charge $15 per hour rental.
A five-year contract with Rent.fun for all the kayaks, gear and app use cost $26,000. The Great Bend CVB received a $12,000 state grant to assist with the project cost.