By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend City Council granted permission to use Veterans Lake and Stone Lake as sites for kayak rental kiosks. Through a partnership with the Great Bend Recreation Commission, the company Rent.fun will install a locker with four kayaks at each of the lakes.
Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said citizens will be able to check out a kayak, oars and a lifejacket using an online app.
"It's kind of like the scooter program, where you get on the app, the door will open for the cage," said Hayes. "You'll be able to pull out the kayak, oars and lifejackets. You'll be able to use it. If you don't have it back in a certain time, your credit card will get charged."
Originally considering a combination of kayaks and paddleboards, officials went with strictly kayaks to avoid the potential of falling off and swimming in the lakes.
Great Bend Rec Director Chris Umphres noted a five-year, $26,000 contract with Rent.fun will install the lockers at each lake.
"When we set the fees, we want it to be low enough that people want to do it," said Umphres. There's a 50/50 reimbursement from the fees. The company gets 50% and we get 50% of the fees. That money will go back to the city for the Vets Park improvement fund."
The Great Bend CVB received a $12,200 grant to help pay $10,000 for the project and to assist in advertising and marketing the new amenity. GBRC will pay $16,000. Rent.fun will search for a local citizen to manage the kayaks in Great Bend.
Now with the city’s permission, Umphres will take the project proposal to the Great Bend Rec Board for final approval next week.