By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Another leg has been attached for the three-legged stool needed to install synthetic turf at the ballfields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.
At a special meeting Friday, Feb. 19, the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board unanimously approved their letter of support to contribute $200,000 and annual maintenance for the plan to install turf on the infields of five baseball and softball fields.
The
Rec Commission, along with the City of Great Bend and USD 428, want to collaborate
on the nearly $1.4 million project.
"It is one of our strategic plan goals to support the economic vitality of Great Bend," said GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson. "We are about creating recreational experiences and I think this turf project will support our strategic plan goals and objectives."
At a work session Monday, the Great Bend City Council acknowledged they did not
want to take on the full expense of the project when the Rec Commission and the
school district make use of the city-owned facility south of town. The city proposed to
pay $920,000, leaving $280,000 to be paid by USD 428 and $200,000 by the Rec
Commission.
GBRC Board member Andrea Bauer noted quality of life improvements are
needed to keep and attract families to the community.
"When you look at the economic impact of these tournaments as well as the quality of life, I think this is something that moves our community forward," said Bauer. "If we want to keep residents here and bring people in, we have to have nice things."
The general consensus from the Great Bend City Council work session was the governing
body was in favor of the plan to purchase the turf from Hellas Construction,
although no formal decision will be made until their next meeting March 1.
The USD 428 Board of Education met Thursday, Feb. 18 and voted 4-3 to delay a decision
of support, wanting more information on the matter. The school board does not
meet again until March 8.
Without official notice of support from the school district, it becomes unknown
if the City Council will vote in favor of the project at their upcoming meeting.
There have been rumblings to install turf at the Sports Complex for years to
recruit more outside tournaments and prevent cancellations and postponements
due to rainouts.