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GBRC approves tobacco free policy for new playground
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The Great Bend Recreation Commission Board on Monday approved a tobacco-free environment policy at the GBRC Activity Center and the My BackYard Playground.
This policy will enforce no tobacco use – including electronic cigarettes – at these sites.
The My BackYard Playground construction crew from Athco LLC of Lenexa will be in Great Bend this week to begin dirt work for the playground. The GBRC Activity Center parking lot will be closed on Monday, Oct. 19 for the delivery of the My BackYard playground equipment. Patrons may park on the north side of the activity center and along Adams and 18th Street.
Installation for the My BackYard playground is estimated to take four weeks. At the Recreation Commission Board’s November meeting, a completion date for the playground and a grand opening will be announced.
As of Monday, three-fourth of the walking path is completed, the Century Garden concrete slab is done, and the reseeding of the playground is complete.
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Baseball tournaments
The GBRC along with the City of Great Bend will sponsor the 2016 Kansas State High School Activities Association 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament. That is heading back the Great Bend Sports Complex.
The tournament is scheduled for May 26-27, 2016.
The Great Bend Recreation Commission received the official notification from Jeremy Holiday, Assistant Executive Director, KSHSAA that Great Bend was selected to host the 2A-1A State Baseball tournament. “Our community is excited for the opportunity to once again host this premier tournament.” Diann Henderson, Executive Director Great Bend Recreation Commission said.
This state baseball tournament will follow the prestigious KCAC 2016 Regional Baseball and Softball Tournament to be held at the Great Bend Sports Complex May 4-7, 2016.
In other action Monday, the GBRC Board also approved an order change for My BackYard Playground. The change is for an additional 10 cu yards of playground mulch for the 5-12 year old area along with additional expansion anchors for benches at the playground.
The GBRC Fall Enrollment for programs are continuing through October and November. There are currently 2,311 individuals enrolled in recreation programs (including Wellness Members and Drop-In Basketball programs). There are 189 activities offered this fall.


GBRC program directors report

Megan Hammeke said bowling continues to be popular with the special needs clients, who participated 185 times in September. On Oct. 27 will be a Halloween party, the party will begin at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center with a performance from Jefferson Elementary students.
Hammeke also reported on programs for senior citizens, September saw people participate in Fit for Life classes met 14 times with 354 participates and three different levels of Tai Chi instruction met 24 times all together. She also mention that the participates in the Gentle Yoga class requested additional day of exercising. So in October this class will meet twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.
Chris Umphres reported on sports programs, noting that the kindergarten and first grade outdoor soccer teams last game will be today. He also noted that there will be no change to the rules for youth and adult basketball for the 2015-2016 season.
Garet Fitzpatrick reported on leisure programs, noting that the fall programs in the schools have started up on Oct. 5, with a wide range of classes for all ages once again. These programs will be held at Lincoln, Jefferson, Eisenhower, Park, Activity Center, Extension Office and the Rec Center. He also stated that they are also working with and hosting programs at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
He went on to say that they are offering classes on days that schools are not in session or are dismissed early. Some of these classes are: Half A Day Kids Day Out (October 16th), Half A Day Of Spooky Crafts (October 22nd), For The Birds Kids Day Out (October 23rd), Fall Kids Day Out (October 26th), Holiday Kids Day Out (December 22nd & 29th) and Babysitters Training (January 2nd).
GBRC Director Diann Henderson reported that for the month of September, there were 1,618 people enrolled in programs sponsored by the Recreation Commission. The total participation for the month was 7,131, of that total 2,613 were spectators. This month the Commission offered a total of 986 hours of supervised activities.