By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The current walking bridge on the south side of Veterans Lake in Great
Bend is over 20 years old. Many walkers and fishermen have made use of the
bridge, but the lumber and the floats are deteriorating. Great Bend Public
Lands Director Scott Keeler said the city received an estimate from EZ Dock to
purchase a 230' bridge, with ramps, for $132,055.
"With council approval we will be moving forward," said Keeler. "Most of this money will be FEMA reimbursement from the wind storm and the flooding."
Great Bend staff could install the bridge themselves next fall or winter or EZ Dock can
have it installed this spring for an extra $26,500.
The city has the majority of the money needed set aside from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money and has
unencumbered cash that was transferred in 2022 that could cover the difference.
The motion to approve the purchase of the walking bridge at Veterans Lake will
go before the Great Bend City Council at their meeting on Monday, March 20.
When the city council approved a bid to replace the fishing docks at Vets Lake and Stone lake in March 2021, the city passed on a projected bid of $99,000 for the bridge replacement at the time.
RELATED STORY: Great Bend to replace docks at Vets and Stone lakes