Great Bend shifting focus to splash pad installation

Rendering of the splash pad Great Bend is considering installing at Veterans Memorial Park.

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

Earlier this year, the City of Great Bend made it clear that one of their main focuses this year was getting a $2 million improvement to the south side of Brit Spaugh Park. While the city has funds set aside from the .15% quality of life sales tax to assist the project, private donations are needed to move forward.

Great Bend City Council member Alan Moeder said there are donors out there, but the city needs the final drawings with specifications first.

"Donors want to see what they're helping pay for," said Moeder. "I can't go ask people for money if we don't have something in concrete, in my opinion. I don't have a problem asking people for money but I want more than just a pretty picture. I need more than that because I want to be able to answer any questions they have."

The city wants to construct an outdoor basketball court, four pickleball courts, two mini soccer pitches, playground and a restroom facility.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission and Harms Trust are prepared to contribute to the project but are waiting for the engineer’s drawings that are expected to cost approximately $100,000 according to Mayor Cody Schmidt.

"To taxpayers, $100,000 for drawings is crazy but unfortunately that's the step you have to take to complete big projects," said Schmidt. "Unfortunately, that is where some of your tax dollars go to...that side of the work."

The council was in favor with proceeding with a request for proposal (RFP) on the Brit Spaugh Park drawings, but without the funding situated Great Bend will look into ordering and installing a splash pad at Veterans Memorial Park for roughly $650,000, a project they can fully fund now.