The processing fee for dropping a Great Bend Recreation Commission program will increase from $3 to $5, effective May 1. The GBRC Board of Directors approved the fee change when it met Monday.

Executive Director Diann Henderson said people can get refunds for activities — minus the $5 fee — if they make their request prior to the starting date. The $2 increase reflects the cost to the Recreation Commission.

In other business Monday, the board approved a three-year contract for various types of insurance, including auto, liability and workers compensation. Goss Insurance of Great Bend was the only company to submit a bit and its bid of $34,315 a year was accepted. Henderson said Goss was also the insurance provider for 2008-11. She said the board did advertise it was accepting bids earlier this year.

The board also approved "updated verbage" in the GBRC employee handbook, and had an executive session for discussion of personnel.

Henderson reported that for the month of March, 4,345 people were enrolled in GBRC programs. There were 18,980 participants, of which 9,999 were spectators, and a total of 1,147.5 hours of supervised activities were offered. This compares to 4,056 people enrolled in March 2010 activities, with 17,223 participants including 8,549 spectators. Henderson attributed the increased participation to the rise of indoor soccer. Now the Recreation Commission is preparing for baseball and softball season.

Board members were told that tickets are still available for the Kansas Barnstorming Tour, taking place Sunday afternoon at the Barton Community College gym. The "Barnstormers" scheduled to attend are former University of Kansas seniors Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed and Mario Little, who will play the GBRC Allstars. Doors will open at approximately 1:30 p.m., with autograph signing from 2-3:45 p.m., followed by a game at 4 p.m. Tickets are $8, available at the GBRC Office, 1214 Stone St. For more information call 620-793-3755, ext. 2.