By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
A 4,500 square-foot group daycare center in Great Bend was approved for
a conditional use permit and construction of the facility is expected to begin
next spring. The daycare center will serve up to 59 children and will be
located at 4507 Farmers Plaza Lane.
The $1.6 million project is being spearheaded by Advancing Barton County
Childcare, a committee established by Great Bend Economic Development.
At the Great Bend Planning Commission meeting in late September, Economic
Development Director Sara Hayden said the committee was still $200,000 short of their
goal but will continue to raise funds.
The daycare center will be located just south of 10th Street near
the K-96 Highway intersection, a topic discussed at Monday’s Great Bend City
Council meeting with councilmember Lindsey Krom-Craven and Building Official
Logan Burns.
"I heard from people there were concerns about it being so close to 10th Street and also next to a motel," said Krom-Craven. "Did that ever come up in your meetings?"
"There were no surrounding landowners that came to the Planning Commission meeting," replied Burns. "There was no discussion as far as the proximity to the highway."
Hayden stated at the Planning Commission this project would be the first of
several facilities around Barton County. A study showed approximately 700 spots
are needed for childcare in Barton County beyond what is currently available.