By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The city of Great Bend had good news in October 2023 when it announced that left-turn signals would be installed on the traffic lights at the 10th and McKinley intersection. During Tuesday's city council meeting, City Administrator Logan Burns provided even better news.
"In talking with the KDOT engineer today, 10th and McKinley is scheduled to pull down traffic control this week," Burns said. "They're scheduling some punch-list items, grading and sod, but we can only hope that gets done this week."
The project was born in September 2021, and construction at the busy intersection began in early June of this year. Burns also provided an update on the Splash Pad at Veterans Memorial Park, which has been shut down since Aug. 23 with a pump failure. ATHCO agreed to warranty the faulty pump, and Continental Pool was expected on site Wednesday for repairs.
"We'll have them install the pump and make sure everything is functioning properly, then we'll make the call if we're going to keep that thing going or if we'll shut it down for the season," said Burns. "We'll see how that goes. Typically, we only keep it open for another 10 days anyway."
In other action:
- Great Bend Police Officer and School Resource Officer Paul Millard was named the city's Employee of the Month for his heroic actions during a shooting last month in Wichita.
- Burns said demolition of the old SRCA Dragstrip and retaining walls is complete. The old material is being crushed to serve as a base to elevate the new track. Grading will begin soon before pavers arrive.
- City officials have reached out to Sunflower Diversified for use of their parking lot for another rendition of the city-wide clean-up. Burns said the event is tentatively scheduled for Octobers with more details to be announced at a later date.