It’s been several years since the Great Bend Municipal Airport has had passenger air service available. Now, the city is trying to change that, City Administrator Kendal Francis told the City Council Monday night. 

“We are in the process of trying to get our passenger service reinstated,” he said during his regular city update. It was in 2016 when the city lost its Essential Air Service status.

This is basically a program through the U.S. Department of Transportation that gives subsidies to airlines to help keep fares low in smaller communities, he said. In order for the DOT to maintain this service, the per-passenger subsidy has to be less than $1,000.

But, in 2016, this figure was much higher, Francis said. “We just weren’t getting a lot of flights and a lot of usage.”

Fast forward to now.

“We’ve been kind of monitoring a another city,” he said. Huron, S.D., is similar in size to Great Bend and was going through an appeal with the Department of Transportation to try to reestablish EAS, but were denied.

“So we are looking at a couple of options,” Francis said. They are seeking a Small Community Air Service development grant, which is through the DOT and works similarly to EAS, other than there is a local match required. 

“So we continue to pursue that grant, and we have been reaching out to local businesses and citizens and asking people to write letters of support for that grant program,” he said. 

“We are also going to pursue some legislative action to possibly change the parameters for Essential Air Service that will allow Great Bend and Huron, S.D., access back into the program,” he said. There are two qualifying parameters – a city has to be at least 175 miles from a mid to large hub (Great Bend meets this since Kansas City is the closest) and the $1,000 subsidy cutoff.

The city is eyeing two possible flights; one would be a direct connection to Denver, and the other one (which is preferred) would be a direct connection to Dallas-Fort Worth.

“This would be a regional jet service,” Francis said of the flight to Texas. “So obviously, that would be a preferred method.”

But, he said it is still kind of early in the process. And again, they will be reaching out to people to provide letters of support.

Anyone interested can contact Francis and he will provide the necessary information.

One of two city welcome signs on its way

For some time now, the City of Great Bend has wanted to construct two welcome signs to the community, one at the north entrance on U.S. 281 and the other at the eastern approach on U.S. 56. During his update to the City Council Monday night, City Administrator Kendal Francis said there has been some progress on this project.

“I have some good news in regards to the welcome signs,” he said. “We have finally gotten final written authorization from (the Kansas Department of Transportation) for the sign on the north end of town.

They hope to see construction next month if the weather holds.

However,  “we’re still trying to figure out the location for the second sign,” he said of what was to be the eastern sign. “We’ve run into some snags with trying to get permission from KDOT to use their right of way.”

He explained that since both of the signs are on federal highways, they require KDOT approval. There were no state concerns with the one on U.S. 281.

But, there are plans to expand U.S. 56 to four lanes, which would impact the sign’s placement, he said. “We think it’s best that we move that sign.” 

They are looking currently at the west side of town, and are trying to find a location and get the nod from KDOT.

Addressing concerns from the council, he realized the east entrance is the most traveled. But, there are too many questions in regard to the changes coming to the highway.

Dragstrip completion getting closer

The project to reconstruct the historic Sunflower Rod and Custom Association dragstrip continues to progress very well, City Administrator Kendal Francis said, addressing the City Council Monday night.

Suchy Construction of Great Bend was out there Monday morning, finishing a concrete pour. As of Monday, about 1,200 linear feet were done.

They’re starting at the far west end in the shutdown area and working towards the starting line, he said. “So we’re just a little bit past a quarter of the way done.”

With favorable weather, the work should continue to go well.

In July, the council approved a bid from Suchy of $1,601,206.54 for the race track. In October 2019, the city was awarded funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation Cost Share program for the demolition and reconstruction of the track.

City events still being planned

Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes provided a schedule of 2021 events to the City Council Monday night. She did so with cautious optimism.

“I think it looks like it’ll be a good year, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we can get back to normal and have our normal events on normal terms,” she said. Many activities this year were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She highlighted the Great Bend Airfest, set for Sept. 17-16, 2021. This event takes place every three years.

And, “this is also the year for the Wings and Wetlands Festival that runs March 24-26,” she said. This biennial event is really a conference that brings in people from different states to learn about bird watching and tour Cheyenne Bottoms.

But, Wings and Wetlands will be virtual this year, she said. This is because it will be in the spring and people may not be willing or able to travel by that point.

This may be advantageous, as it may provide an opportunity for more people to be involved, she said. “It’s a good chance for some of us to have the opportunity to jump in virtually and learn how to bird.”  

The entry fee is $20.

There will be more information on these and other upcoming events as they draw nearer, she said.

City looking for event volunteers

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes anything, it’s that the city has to be creative in how it handles events. An example is the need to embrace local volunteers to help with activities, she said in her report to the City Council Monday night.

“With the differences and changes, I know some staff are still leery about wanting to help with certain events,” she said. “I am really asking the public to help volunteer.”

Hayes said they are going to partner with Volunteers in Action, formerly known as RSVP of Central Kansas. Through that agency, one can apply online and become a volunteer, and choose what events they want to be a part of, such as Party in the Park, June Jaunt, Airfest, or even the many holiday activities. VIA also provides insurance for the volunteer.

“It’ll be a really great opportunity for them to be present in the community,” she said. “It will also get some volunteers to really help us with manpower for some of our events in 2021.”

This also allows VIA to track and record the volunteer hours, which helps the agency qualify for funding.