After a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the new Justice Center at 12th and Baker, the building dedicated to housing the Great Bend Police Department and Municipal Court opened its doors to the public Friday morning.
Employees haven’t yet made the move; Capt. Scott Bieberle said furniture was being moved in as late as Thursday evening. Friday’s open house allowed people to tour the 20,000-square-foot facility. At a cost of nearly $9 million, the project is being partially funded by a 0.10% sales tax approved by voters in 2021.
Inaugural remarks at the ribbon cutting came from Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Megan Barfield, Police Chief Steve Haulmark and Mayor Cody Schmidt. Representatives from GLMV Architecture and McCown Gordon Construction, both based in Wichita, also spoke briefly.
There were refreshments and free mementos in the lobby. Bieberle was among the officers leading guided tours of the building. There are numerous rooms for offices, interviews, meetings and training, a garage and secure parking lot, and a gym, along with storage areas for equipment and evidence. One evidence storage room was filled with empty shelves, but Bieberle commented, “It won’t take long to fill this up.”
Comments by Police Chief Steve Haulmark
Haulmark thanked everyone for attending on Friday, noting it was a beautiful fall day.
“I’ll start by recognizing the people largely responsible for making this day a reality,” he said. “First, our elected officials, Mayor Cody Schmidt and our City Council for their forward thinking, which allowed this issue to be placed on the ballot in 2021. Most importantly, thanks to the citizens of Great Bend who voted overwhelmingly in support of this endeavor.”
He noted that one of his first tasks when becoming chief of police in 2021 was to meet with police personnel and community members to determine what the GBDP was doing right and where it needed to improve. “I heard various things, but frequently I heard that the facility was old and cramped, and didn’t allow us to meet best practice standards in the industry.
“The current building was built in 1938 and once housed both the PD and the fire department. While the men and women of the Great Bend Police Department are dedicated to serving the community, they were not afforded the opportunity to perform at their highest level,” he said. “When these issues were brought before the community, they gave us their overwhelming support and we began to gather our team.
“After due diligence, we selected GLMV for our architect and McCown Gordon for our builders. Both were chosen for their industry knowledge and professionalism and they in turn subcontracted work on the project with many local vendors. While no project goes without a hitch, this process has been fairly painless and that’s due to their dedication. This building, we believe, will serve the community and our staff for decades to come.”
Comments by Megan Barfield
Barfield said the new Justice Center’s ribbon cutting represents a remarkable milestone in our community’s history.
“The Great Bend Justice Center represents not just a physical structure, but a symbol of our city officials’ commitment to upholding justice and fostering a safe environment for our businesses to thrive,” she said. “In the competitive landscape of the modern world, attracting and retaining both talented individuals and businesses is paramount to our continued success. The construction of this state-of-the-art facility is a cornerstone in all of our efforts to create an environment that fosters growth and prosperity. It signals to prospective investors and entrepreneurs that Great Bend is not only a safe and secure community but also an innovative hub of opportunity and innovation.”
