By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
While the addition of the large water slides at the Great Bend Wetlands Waterpark arrived in 2005, the large pool was constructed in 1936. Great Bend Public Lands Director Scott Keeler said his staff has been able to “limp” to the finish line each summer but he is fearful of a major issue that would take the pool out of commission.
During Monday’s work session, the Great Bend City Council discussed plans on replacing the large pool, which is just under 12,000 square feet. The council reviewed options that used the same footprint but reduced the size of the pool, something that concerned Mayor Cody Schmidt.
"As long as we're all here, it's going to be a one-hit wonder," said Schmidt. "I would hate to do half the size then you pack it and it doesn't please anyone or meet their needs. I understand we have a budget, but I think those are things we really need to dive into and have studies done."
City Administrator Logan Burns suggested a $6 million bond project to pay for a new pool. The 20-year bond would carry an estimated 5.27% interest rate and the city plans to make the payments from the quality-of-life sales tax.
Consistently hearing that the Great Bend pool needs a lazy river, Burns said the new pool could include six lanes for summer swim competitions and a smaller lazy river.
"One thing with the lazy river, the bigger and longer you make it, the more lifeguards you need," said Burns. "They have to see every angle of that. We do have trouble finding lifeguards every summer. This concept actually has a lazy river built in the middle of it. It's a smaller one, and you're probably getting away with one or two guards solely on the lazy river."
Burns noted to potentially start the pool construction after the 2026 swim season and have it ready before the 2027 season. City officials will look into an aquatics engineer to get a better estimate on the cost before coming back to the city council for approvals.