At a special meeting Friday afternoon, the Great Bend Recreation Commission board voted unanimously to move forward with a cost-sharing agreement with the City of Great Bend and USD 428 to install synthetic turf on five fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

In approving the pending agreement, the board agreed to provide support not to exceed $200,000 for the roughly $1.4 million project, as well as providing yearly maintenance for the turf. GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson estimated the yearly maintenance expense on the turf would cost between $3,000 and $10,000. Aside from daily maintenance by Rec staff, GBRC Assistant Director Chris Umphres said this would also potentially include an annual or bi-annual maintenance plan through the installer.

The Rec Commission also oversees user operations, scheduling and tournaments at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

The Rec’s portion of the project cost would come out of its yearly capital outlay budget, and the yearly maintenance would come from the regular yearly budget, and neither cost would result in any tax or fee increases for Rec Commission patrons, Henderson noted.

Board member Andrea Bauer said she believes installing the turf would be a positive step for the whole community.

“When you look at the economic impact of these tournaments, as well as just the quality of life, I think this is something that moves our community forward,” Bauer noted. “We already have a proven track record of bringing in tournaments. So I think the continued investment in this not only benefits our homegrown kids, but it benefits those that we’re trying to bring in for tournaments, as well.”

One benefit not addressed by the school board or the city council, Henderson noted, was that the turf would allow Great Bend to host games and events for individuals with disabilities, something that is not currently possible with the grass fields at the complex.

Henderson told the board that the project fits into the Rec Commission’s strategic plan goals to support the economic vitality of Great Bend through the creation of recreation experiences for both local patrons and visitors to the community.

Now that several other communities surrounding Great Bend have taken steps to install artificial turf at their facilities, Umphres said the city could lose future tournaments if it doesn’t also upgrade. He said the potential loss of tournaments for Great Bend would have a significant negative economic impact on the city. He feels the project is necessary for Great Bend to remain competitive with other communities in drawing out-of-town tournaments.

It was also noted the surface would remain more playable in adverse weather conditions with the improved drainage provided by a turf surface. This would make the field more playable and accessible for year-round activities. This would result in less chance of games and tournaments being canceled due to weather.

Background

The City of Great Bend initially addressed the topic Tuesday evening at their work session at the Great Bend Events Center, at which USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton, Henderson, and Umphres were present. The Great Bend City Council members agreed to proceed with the discussion, but nothing will be official until they vote on the matter at their March 1 meeting.

Even if the city approves the project, it will be contingent on Great Bend USD 428 also agreeing to the cost-sharing partnership.

The USD 428 Board of Education added the matter to its agenda last Thursday afternoon, and voted 4-3 to table the question until the March 8 meeting to allow for time for public discussion on the matter.

As part of the cost-sharing agreement, the City of Great Bend would pay 60%, or about $920,000 of the total cost of upgrading the baseball and softball infields and bullpens on the five fields at the complex to synthetic turf. USD 428 would pitch in $280,000, or about 20%.

The turf would be installed by Austin, Texas-based Hellas Construction, who estimated the fields would be ready for play in time for the 2022 season. The company estimated the turf surfaces would last about 12-15 years.

Umphres indicated the maintenance plan would involve Hellas Construction coming out every year or every other year to do additional maintenance and upkeep necessary to keep the turf in playable condition.

Umphres also recommended the project include a heat-controlled playing surface option, adding about $121,000 to the total project. With this option, the infill used to support the turf would be a lighter-colored vinyl material than the black rubber infill typically used on synthetic turf surfaces, allowing for a cooler playing surface during summer months. He noted a hotter playing surface is a common concern with turf surfaces, and this option would address that concern. He noted many surrounding communities have not gone with this option, which would give Great Bend an additional selling point when competing with other communities.

KSHSAA, KCAC Letters of Support

One of the chief concerns expressed by proponents of the turf project is the potential loss of significant revenue for the city and its businesses due to loss of out-of-town tournaments the Sports Complex currently hosts.

Addressing that concern, GBRC board members received copies of letters from both the Kansas High School Activities Association and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference supporting the installation of the turf at those facilities.

A June 2018 letter from Jeremy Holaday, assistant executive director of KSHSAA, addressed to Rec staff and copied to Great Bend City officials expressed gratitude to GBRC staff for their hard work and dedication in providing strong hospitality and good conditions as hosts of the 2-1A State Baseball tournament. In regards to turf fields, the letter stated:

“Weather in Kansas will always cause some issues for baseball. I know this year we did pretty well, but if there is any movement or consideration to installing a turf field at Great Bend Sports Complex the KSHSAA would certainly support the effort. As facilities improve and come up in Kansas they are predominantly putting turf on their fields because of the versatility and cost savings. The KSHSAA always have to keep an eye on those facilities as options for hosting.”

Similarly, a letter dated Feb. 10, 2021, from Scott Crawford, KCAC commissioner, praised the work of GBRC and city staff in maintaining the fields and hosting KCAC Baseball and Softball tournaments that were “memorable, turnkey, and of the highest quality.” Crawford stated member institutions have benefited greatly from the work ethic of the Sports Complex staff. Specifically addressing the need for turf fields, the letter read:

“It is safe to say the KCAC and Great Bend are likely to continue to partner for many years to come. However, I do need to share there are persisting questions from coaches about when Great Bend will turf their fields. Our current agreement is for three years - Spring 2021 - Spring 2023. Knowing turf fields are being considered and likely to be implemented will greatly assist with the next renewal of the agreement.”