By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
There is a heavy focus on soccer right now at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, and the participation numbers show a big interest in soccer from the community. The Rec finished up their instructional soccer classes for preschool-aged children and shifted to adult and youth leagues. There are 37 youth soccer teams this year.
GBRC Sports Director Shane Sandberg said Executive Director Chris Umphres suggested a change to the walls set up at the City Auditorium for indoor soccer this year. To make the facility more user friendly during soccer season, the wall on the west side of the gym was moved off the stage creating a walkway.
"We put some plates on the floor to anchor the braces down in there," said Sandberg. "Now people can still walk during the day all the way around. For our games, you can walk back and forth to the restroom much easier without having to go all the way around. It's been a big hit."
The Rec also has five adult women’s teams for soccer this year. There are seven adult men’s teams. Sandberg said soccer games run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and again from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.