Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington told a civic group Wednesday that improving recreational areas and events is a priority for the coming year. These include major changes at the Events Center.He described several aspects of the city’s $24 million budget when he spoke to the Kiwanis Club.City leaders nixed an architect’s suggestion to spend $5 million on the Events Center, but several improvements have been make. The original divider wall, which had become unsafe, was replaced.