By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The City of Great Bend took ownership of the Events Center on 10th Street in 2011. A series of improvements were made to the facility in the immediate years following ownership such as offices, conference rooms, carpet, lighting, sound system and renovating the exterior.
After Events Center revenue went down in 2023 following pricing changes, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said revenue recovered in 2024.
"2022 is still our highest year," said Hayes. "I think it also reflects that in our transient guest tax. 2022 was also our highest number in hotels, then it went down in 2023 and rebounded a little bit in 2024."
The price change in 2023 took the charge to rent the main ballroom from $1,000 to $1,500. Additional days outside of the standard rental to decorate or tear down cost half the price of the room.
The 2024 revenue from the Events Center was $73,686, compared to the $66,620 garnered in 2023. October 2024 was the biggest money generating month with $12,750 on the books.