By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Barton Community College Trustees approved a contract with Mammoth Sports Construction on Tuesday to make renovations to the Physical Education Building, or the main basketball gym. The renovation will be paid for with private donor dollars and will not exceed $3 million.
Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs said the wheels started turning for the project in 2019, but with the COVID pandemic and economy, fundraising was put on hold.
"Really it was a clear thought that we have to get something done related to the phases of the project," said Rolfs. "That phase, the funds from those that have supported the project, is the internal improvements in the Kirkman Center with the Hall of Fame and Cougar Den. That's how we celebrate the history and heritage of athletics at this college."
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The renovations will create additional staff offices, improve the experience for spectators and fix outdated areas of the Kirkman Center. The project will include a new Cougar Den on the south end of the gym that will include a Hall of Fame room, renovation to the west hallway, locker room renovations, guard rail replacement around the arena and renovations to the concession stands.
"This is going to be the start to some really special things," said Rolfs. "It's going to benefit the college grossly in a number of ways. Facilitating with our stakeholders, recruitment and I could go on and on about the necessity for these things, space challenges, etc."
The gym renovation is considered phase one of three. Barton has plans for a new strength training facility, wrestling room, three additional tennis courts and locker rooms and a press box at the track and soccer complex.
Rolfs expected the first phase to be completed by next October or November.