By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The community will have a chance to see what the $4.82 million renovation project looks like at the Support Services facility for the Great Bend school district. An open house has been scheduled for Oct. 11 for citizens to view the facility on east 10th Street.
RELATED STORY: Open house for USD 428's renovated support services facility
The building houses the district's Food and Nutrition Department and Central Kitchen, maintenance, grounds and transportation services. Cody Schmidt, USD 428 Director of Grounds and Transportation, said his department has been operating out of the facility for about a month.
"From what we were in to what we're in now, we can house six buses inside, it just changes everyone's camaraderie," said Schmidt. "It's something to be proud of. It's a renovation. It's nothing brand new. For my department, I can't be more thankful for what we have."
Kitchen equipment was transferred from the old facility on Broadway Avenue, but the food department also received new, modern kitchen pieces.
From the transportation side, Schmidt said an onsite wash bay will be useful for the entire district.
"The building already featured a wash bay," said Schmidt. "We had to knock a wall out and take it 50 feet deep because out biggest buses are 45 feet long. The restructure of the all the vehicles are now with myself and transportation. Our secretary has moved from the District Education Center to our new location. That's been a huge upgrade."
The project was paid for through the district’s capital outlay. To help replenish the capital outlay, USD 428 approved a mill levy increase for the 2023-2024 school year.
RELATED STORY: USD 428 approves $4.8 million plan
The open house Oct. 11 will be from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 625 East 10th Street.