By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Since the Great Bend Sports Complex was constructed in 2012, the City of Great Bend and Great Bend Recreation Commission have worked to bring in sports tournaments. The more sports tournaments means more visitors spending dollars in the community.
Great Bend Rec Executive Director Chris Umphres explained a partnership with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to hire a part-time employee to recruit teams to participate in tournaments.
"Their only job is to call teams, recruit teams, during the out-of-season time to fill these tournaments," said Umphres. "I think there's some value there. It's something I always did, but now as director I don't have the time. There are some names out there during the offseason that might be able to do that."
Umphres said a budget of $7,500 to $8,000 was planned to pay the part-time employee. The CVB agreed to contribute $3,000 for the position.
Darcy Leech, owner of Mind Sculpt Games on 10th Street, saw the value with tournaments in town.
"I think on our area of 10th Street, we can see a bump in shoppers when there are tournaments in town," said Leech. "From our view of retail, it helps a lot. It's a good investment for us."
Umphres expected the recruiting candidate to start in November and work through August, with some weeks making more calls than others.