Great Bend’s Public Lands Department has started preparation for the concrete at Heizer Park, with plans to have mini pitch courts done by May 12 and the bathrooms after that in May or June, City Administration Logan Burns told the City Council on Monday. He anticipates a ribbon cutting for that project in June. Burns and Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger both gave reports at the meeting.

Burns said a pumper truck for the Great Bend Fire Department is being driven here from Mississippi and was expected to arrive Tuesday, March 4.

He continued his report with an account of a water main break at 24th and Sunset that had crews working until 11 p.m. Friday due to the old pipe there. “Every time they made a fix, it kept splitting. So they’ve gotten back to some good pipe now that they made another cut in the street. Once we got that done today, then we had to jump on another main break at Second and Pine that is now fixed. We will then go back to the main break at 24th and Sunset.” He added that they try not to work on water mains during school but whenever the work takes place they try to notify the public that there might be an interruption in service. 

“With warmer weather, we will also be out doing pothole patchings,” Burns continued. “Please be attentive when you’re out in those areas.”

Burns also reported that the Corps of Engineers is doing levee inspections this week.

Public Lands

Roofmasters is doing work at the Sports Complex. The first games are coming up March 22 or 25 and the work should be done by then.

“We’re also working on Al Burns (baseball field), in collaboration with The Rec and Bat Cats to get that infield grass put back together. It was in pretty sore shape after the winter.”

The City is also installing irrigation to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Veterans Memorial Park.

STAR Bond

Finally, Burns said they are working on a feasibility study for the STAR Bond Project at the Great Bend Expo Complex. “We hope to hear back from them in the next week or two, then from there we’ll develop that project plan to see what that scope looks like.

Great Bend Economic Development

The next report came from Sara Arnberger, president of Great Bend Economic Development.

At the beginning of 2025, GBED, in partnership with the Great Bend Community Coordinator, sponsored the Snowball Drop retail sales event, with more participants than the previous year. “All the stores reported a really good return for their involvement, so we were excited about that,” she said.

GBED recently finished its second annual Ice House entrepreneurial mindset class with seven graduates. Half of them are moving on to the more advanced CO.STARTERS Core entrepreneurship class. “That’s an in-depth look at (a business) from concept to launch.” They are still accepting sign-ups.

“And then this Wednesday (March 5) is our annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.” Students from middle school through high school are invited to give presentations.

Also coming up is the third annual IGNITE Rural Business competition. “We already have four businesses that are signed up, and all of those are new concept businesses that would be starting – one of which would be moving from outside of Barton County,” she said. “I’m excited to see what this year brings.”

The Business and Career Expo is scheduled for April 16. “We encourage the public to come out, whether you’re a job seeker looking for employment opportunities or if you just want to explore what our businesses are doing.”

Plans continue for the $7 million community IGNITE Innovation Center on the Farmers Plaza at K-96 and 10th Street. “We’ve obviously had some cold weather that is finally lightening up. So, now that the ground is not frozen, we’ll get to see some foundation work starting in the next couple weeks.”

Asked about the fundraising for the project, Arnberger said they still need about $1.5 million “to be fully funded for everything we want. ... And to have the basic start-up equipment and things that we need – $500,000 to $600,000.”

Meanwhile, the child care center located next to the future Innovation Center is ready to open more spots for infants and toddlers, “but we (need) a few more people on our teaching team to round out that roster. If you know anybody that has interest in teaching our infants and toddlers, we would love to have them apply.”

Finally, GBED is welcoming new members to the Great Bend Alive! volunteer team. They will meet March 26 at Dry Lake Brewing to recap 2024 accomplishments and share plans for Final Fridays on Forest in 2025. Anyone who wants to learn more is welcome.