By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Recreation Commission, along with the City of Great Bend, will soon be gauging the public’s interest in a kayak and paddleboard rental service. At last month’s Rec Commission Board meeting, the idea was presented for Rent.Fun to install lockers near Veterans Lake or Stone Lake that would provide four kayaks or paddleboards for the public to rent.
Great Bend Rec Director Chris Umphres met with city officials since the September meeting to go over the logistics of where to place the kayaks. The city’s attorney examined the proposal and started troubleshooting possible issues with the service.
"We're going to do a Survey Monkey," said Umphres. "The city is onboard with that to see if we get any other feedback before bringing this back at the next meeting."
Rent.Fun would charge an $18,000 activation fee. The company offered a market rate fee structure of $25 for a two-hour rental or $75 for an annual pass.
"We had a Zoom call with the kayak company and the city," said Umphres. "They got to ask their questions. Still feel good about, but we're just trying to get some feedback on it. It is a big decision."