By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Hellas Construction crews are in Great Bend and are currently digging the way for the installation of artificial turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex. The $1.36 million project will install turf on the infields and bullpen areas at the four Sports Complex fields and nearby Langrehr Field.
Great Bend
Recreation Commission Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres said the dirt work
is taking place first.
"There are some big machines out there," said Umphres. "They dug the trenches on the outsides where the concrete curb goes and they'll start putting their drainage systems in. The crew out there now is doing the dirt work. Once that is done, they will start bringing in the other crews."
The clay dirt was dug out and saved to allow Great Bend to use the dirt at other
ballfields as needed.
Members of the Recreation Commission and the City of
Great Bend met with Hellas representatives Wednesday, Aug. 25 where they were told the plan
is to have at least one of the fields complete by November.
"We're hoping to start finishing fields by November. From that, it will be one field after another. That's how we plan on delivering."
Hellas has until Feb. 1, 2022 to complete the installation.
The city and the Great Bend Rec will visit the sports complex again in late
September for another progress report.
The Rec committed $200,000 and annual maintenance of the fields and the Great
Bend school district pledged $280,000. The city is responsible for the
remaining cost.
