The Great Bend City Council has discussed possible improvements at the Wetlands Waterpark and on Monday members will be asked to approve an agreement for conceptual design services. The recommended agreement for $30,000 is with JEO Consulting Group, which is the company the City contracts for on-call engineering services. City Administrator Logan Burns will report during the meeting that starts at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 at City Hall, 1209 Williams St. Meetings are also livestreamed on the City of Great Bend Facebook page.
According to the agenda, one of JEO’s areas of expertise is aquatic facility design. In October 2024, Amber Wyatt from JEO visited Great Bend to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the waterpark.
Following her visit, she provided a detailed 66-page report outlining the condition of the pool and its adjacent play features. The report identifies specific issues with each component and outlines potential next steps for either renovation or full replacement.
The proposal being considered will provide JEO a lump sum payment to complete a concept development and facility assessment.
This process will include identifying deficiencies in the existing facility, establishing key project criteria and development conceptual designs along with cost estimates for repairs or renovation.
The agenda also notes that as part of this assessment, the City plans to involve a pool committee appointed by the mayor to provide valuable input on the renovation and future direction of the facility.
The municipal pool at Brit Spaugh Park was built in 1936 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project and was transformed into the Wetlands Waterpark with a major renovation in 2005.
“Given the age and condition of the current pool, we are now at the critical stage of planning for its replacement,” the agenda states.
“Previously, the City’s timeline aimed to keep the current pool operational through the 2025 and 2026 swim seasons, with demolition and construction scheduled to begin in August 2026. Under the QOL (Quality of Life 0.15%) sales tax plan, we have earmarked funding to begin bond payments in 2027, supporting a pool renovation project with an estimated budget of $6 million.
“Community feedback has highlighted the importance of preserving the pool size; we currently offer nearly 12,000 square feet of aquatic space, as well as including certain desired features in the new facility. Once the conceptual design phase is complete, the intention is to proceed with full design and construction, beginning as planned in August 2026, providing the project aligns with available funding.”
More engineering items
Two other agreements with JEO are on Monday’s agenda.
The first is an agreement with JEO and the State of Kansas for the preliminary engineering of a Transportation Alternative (TA) grant for $108,633. The City applied for this grant on March 1, 2024, for downtown sidewalk repair and accessibility improvements on Main Street from 10th to 17th. The agenda notes that Great Bend was awarded the grant last October. “Even though our eligibility should be a 20% match if the program is awarded, KDOT (the Kansas Department of Transportation) awarded the grant project with 100% funding with $0 city match.” This includes construction engineering and preliminary engineering. The City sought requests for quotes to procure a consultant for the project and JEO submitted the only proposal.
JEO is also recommended to work with the City on preliminary engineering for the Airport lift station rehabilitation. This is part of the State Revolving Loan Fund award of $800,000 for runway repairs. For now, JEO will work on an hourly basis to assist with this project as needed, but not to exceed $9,000 without prior approval from the council.
Director positions and more
The council will also meet in executive session Monday to discuss personnel matters. In that case, council members will review the applicants for the positions of Utilities Director and Public Works Director.
The agenda also seeks to block off parking stalls on the north side of Lakin Avenue between Kansas and Main on Aug. 15-17, for vendors to set up and tear down for the Blessed Bike Rally. Lakin will be closed between Main and Kansas from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 16 and individuals will be allowed to stay overnight in Jack Kilby Square for the security of the event.
