By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Opening in 2012, the Great Bend Sports Complex will feature artificial turf 10 years later when practices and games begin in the spring of 2022.
A $1.37 million project is coming to fruition and well ahead of schedule.
Great
Bend Recreation Commission Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres said all the
turf work is complete and there are just a few minor finishing touches to
wrap up.
"There was a back order on some home plates and pitching rubbers but those are coming in," said Umphres. "They took some of the fence down to get their big equipment in, so there needs to be fence repair. As far as the turf work...they're done and out of there."
Placing turf on all five infields and bullpen areas was scheduled to be completed
by Feb. 1, 2022. The fall and winter seasons in Great Bend
have been relatively warm, providing ample amount of time for Hellas
Construction to work.
"Obviously, the weather helped," said Umphres. "We gave them some extra time thinking weather might not be cooperative, but it helped. To put it in perspective, the City of Hays is installing turf at the complex up there. They don't have turf on site yet and it will be tight for them to get it done before school stuff starts up."
The advantage of using Hellas is that the company produces their own turf;
whereas, other contractors (including Hays' contractor) have to order their turf which can sometimes cause
delays.
The Recreation Commission, USD 428 and City of Great Bend agreed to a
cost-share plan to pay for the project. City officials and Rec staff will now
go to work on cleaning up the facility by removing the remnants of dirt and
fixing the grass areas.
Umphres noted the city is planning on a grand opening for a later date so the
public can see the upgraded facility.