The long-awaited, twice-postponed ribbon cutting for the City of Great Bend’s new Justice Center is set for 10 a.m. Friday. The facility at 12th and Baker houses the Police Department and Municipal Court. 

“We’re really excited for everyone to come out to the ribbon cutting,” said City Administrator Brandon Anderson, speaking to the City Council Monday night about the joint city-Great Bend Chamber of Commerce event. “We want to showcase the building for the community.”

Inaugural remarks will come from chamber President Megan Barfield, Anderson, Police Chief Steve Haulmark and Mayor Cody Schmidt.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity for guided tours of the facility and enjoy refreshments, allowing an up-close look at the center. City officials and police officers will be on-site throughout the day until 6 p.m. 

The new municipal court room will be dedicated at a later date and time to retired City Attorney Bob Suelter in honor of his 42 years of service to the City of Great Bend, Anderson said. Suelter retired in November 2021. 

The Great Bend City Council, city administration, Police Department and Municipal Court are “greatly appreciative of the needed upgrade and spaciousness of the new facility,” Anderson said. The completion of this facility will not only enhance the operational capabilities of the city’s law enforcement but also provide a conducive environment to recruit and retain officers and support staff.

The ribbon cutting had originally been scheduled for September, but construction and supply delays caused it to first be bumped to Oct. 5, then to this Friday.

Ground was broken for the nearly $9 million, 20,000-square-foot facility on Sept. 12, 2022. Great Bend voters in November 2021 approved a 0.10% sales tax to help fund the nearly $9 million project.

Wichita construction firm McCown Gordon is the project manager. GLMV Architecture of Wichita was selected as the architect.

For more information, contact the city at 620-792-4111.