Now that pheasant hunting season has begun, the Great Bend Recreation Commission is again holding its Longest Tail Feather contest, program director Garet Fitzpatrick said.
Pheasant tail feathers can be dropped off at the GBRC office, 1214 Stone St., during business hours until Feb. 1. The tail feathers become property of the GBRC and the person submitting the longest feather will win a $30 Great Bend Chamber of Commerce gift certificate donated by Goss Insurance Agency.
The GBRC Board met Monday and approved bid specifications for computer hardware and software upgrades. Executive Director Diann Henderson said $60,000 has been budgeted for these capital outlay items. Bids will be accepted until 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at the office.
Upgrades will include eight new personal computer stations and a new server and virtual server as the GBRC moves from a 32-bit system to a 64-bit system. New cable, printers and monitors will also be needed. “With everyone’s best guess, we’re hoping our computer needs will be met for four to five years,” Henderson said.
The upgrades are expected to be completed in February 2013, and after staff becomes familiar with the new software there will be a second phase that expands services to the public. This phase will allow mobile and online facility reservations and enrollment in GBRC programs.
In other business, the board voted to change the time line for the annual administrator’s evaluation. In the past there was a review in January and the evaluation process was completed in February. Now, the review will be held in November and the process completed in December. In keeping with this policy change, the board held a 10 minute executive session to discuss the personnel matter of the administrative evaluation. Henderson joined them in this meeting.
Henderson also told the board that GBRC employees may have another option for health insurance after Dec. 9, when it is expected they will be allowed to join the plan for state employees. This is the same plan available to teachers and city employees, she said.
For the month of October, GBRC had 3,278 people enrolled in activities. There were 15,472 acts of participation, of where 6,737 were spectators. GBRC offered 1,610 hours of supervised activities.