By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The docks at Stone Lake were last rebuilt in 1996 and the dock at Veterans Lake was reconstructed in 1999. The floats underneath each dock were reused at that time with new wood.
As both have continued to age, the City of Great Bend has gone ahead and purchased replacement docks, two for Stone Lake and one for Vets Lake.
Public Lands Director Scott Keeler says his staff has done research
and compared the cost to rebuild verse purchasing from a manufacturer. EZ Dock
of the Great Plains provided the most cost effective plan with new docks that
meet ADA standards.
"One of the testimonials from Alabama says Hurricane George and Tropical Storm Mitch, the docks withstood both storms except a little damage to the pylons into the ground," said Keeler. "Granted we do not have hurricanes around here, but we do have some pretty stiff winds."
Keeler says the wind storm of 2019 is what actually “did these docks in.”
The Public Lands Department did seek a bid to replace the dock bridge at Vets
Lake, but Keeler noted the projected cost is $99,000 to replace the more than
200'-long bridge. The city is looking to subsidize the bridge project through
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Great Bend City Council approved the purchase for two 13’ x 16’ docks with 12’
gangways, or bridges, for each. The total purchase came to $34,299.20. Funds
from 2020 were transferred to the Park Improvement Fund to cover the costs.
The Publics Lands Department already purchased one dock, in addition to the two
approved by the City Council, so both docks at Stone Lake can be replaced.
Keeler expects to have the orders in and docks replaced within the next 2-3
months.