Upgrades at Heizer Park are nearing completion and the official date for opening the Wetlands Waterpark is Monday, May 26. Great Bend City Administrator Logan Burns reported on these and other projects at the May 19 City Council meeting.
The Public Lands Department just finished the mini-pitch court at Heizer Park and the coating system is being added this week. Dirt work will start later this week for the bathroom install on June 4. Irrigation will start on June 9.
“So that project is starting to come together,” Burns said, noting many people are looking forward to it.
The Waterpark will open at 12:30 p.m. Monday. In previous years the municipal waterpark has opened the Saturday before Memorial Day but this year they are short on lifeguards. During the summer, the waterpark at 2303 Main is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Learn more online at greatbendwaterpark.com.
Streets and more
• The KDOT project to install a new traffic signal with left-lane turning arrows at 10th and McKinley will start on June 2. “This will reduce traffic from two lanes to one lane through the intersection, starting on the north side, and then go to the south side,” Burns said.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a lengthy project ... so be mindful when you’re going through there.” Work is expected to be completed in mid-September.
• The pavement at the intersection at McKinley and Sixth St. near the hospital is curing now. The barricades will be pulled this week and the street opened up.
• Monday is Memorial Day. Burns reminded everyone who places decorations on the grounds at the cemetery that they need to be picked up by June 2.
• May 31 is the first Bat Cats baseball game. At this week’s meeting, the council approved a fireworks display for the game at Al Burns Field. The Bat Cats sponsor the show.
• Great Bend’s “first annual” Big Bend Bash is coming up on June 7. The downtown celebration will feature a Family Fun Zone, food, drinks, live music, parade, car show and art walk.
• The council will hear budget requests from agencies at the next meeting. Anyone requesting a budget increase will make a presentation.
• At the dragstrip, Bartlett & West is in full design mode. They will be at the council’s July 7 meeting to discuss the demolition of the old track and guaranteed maximum price for the rebuild. “(We’re) looking to start paving in August,” Burns said. “And then we’re still on track to be complete by March 26, 2026, ahead of the new season.”
In a related item, the city and Great Bend Economic Development are “working through the process” to secure a STAR Bond project at the dragstrip. “Once we meet with the State, we’ll be looking to get that out to the public.”
• The filing deadline for city council and mayor positions is June 2 at noon. “So if you’re interested in running, get to the courthouse,” Burns said.
Meeting at a glance
Here’s a quick look at items approved at the May 19 Great Bend City Council meeting:
• The council voted 5-3 to approve a quote from Venture Corporation for pavement markings at intersections on 10th St. for $59,312. These are in addition to markings being done during the CCLIP-funded project.
• Purchase of a Dodge Ram half-ton truck from Marmie’s Dodge was approved for $42,185 for the Water Department. Bids were accepted. This was described as a cost-saving measure because the replacement of the field service truck would be upwards of $70,000, Utilities Supervisor Darren Doonan said. Additional modifications will add $18,000 to $22,000 to the final cost.
• Todd Anspaugh was reappointed to the zoning board and the planning commission board.
• The payroll register ending May 10 was approved for $543,208, along with other bills to date.
• The Bin Wranglers company, based in Hudson, was approved for a garbage and refuse license. Wrangler Walker is the responsible person.
• A Bat Cats fireworks show was approved for May 31.
• An abatement was approved for the property at 2015 Baker Ave. Furniture and a mattress outside need to be removed.
