By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Last year, Barton Community College Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs
officially revealed the college’s plans for a $16.8 million construction and
renovation project.
The plan, funded through private dollars, calls for a major addition to the
south of the main gym facility to create more space for a growing athletic
department.
Last Thursday, Rolfs noted he has received several financial commitments for
the project and is working to get the visual concept out to the public.
"These improvements are very much needed," said Rolfs. "We're busting at the seams. We need space. We need upgrades if we want to stay relevant across the community college spectrum."
A mural with pictures of the proposed changes is positioned near the gym inside
the Kirkman Center.
A new training and fitness facility, wrestling room, cheer and dance space,
eSports facility and Hall of Fame room.
"We have some commitments, but for as big of a project as it is we're going to need more commitments," said Rolfs. "We're continuing down that road. I'm happy to report it's going well."
No structural additions to the main gym have happened since 1995, when the Kirkman Student Activity Center was established. In 1995, Barton sponsored 13 athletic programs with nearly 230 athletes. Since then, there has been a 90% increase in the number of athletic participants. Barton now has 22 different sports programs and over 400 students involved with athletics.
Rolfs said growth is a good thing for higher education, especially as it relates to enrollment. As the number of athletic programs at Barton have grown, so too has the need for facility enhancements.
Proposed improvements...
New Construction:
1. Major addition to the south of main gym facility that would include a new strength training facility, cardio fitness facility, wrestling room, cheer and dance practice space, eSports facility, Hall of Fame room, trophy cases, classrooms, locker rooms, offices and storage space
2. Addition of three tennis courts (to make six total) and awning area
3. Locker rooms, press box and restrooms at track/soccer complex
4. Press box facility at softball complex
5. Storage shed/lookout building at golf driving range
Transformation of Current Facilities:
1. Current Cougar Den becomes swim coach offices
2. Current volleyball locker room becomes men's basketball office/storage
3. Current training room becomes women's basketball locker room/restroom facility
4. Current women's locker room becomes volleyball locker room
5. Current P-4A classroom becomes women's basketball offices/storage
6. Current weight room becomes athletic training room
7. Current assistant athletic director/sports information director offices becomes officials locker room
8. Current P-5A classroom becomes storage and tennis locker room
Remodel of Current Facilities:
1. Men's basketball locker room
2. Women's basketball locker room
3. Concessions area and west main hallway
