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Great Bend Rec earns state kudos
Annual report for 2010-11 highlights released
new slt rec diann
Diann Henderson, director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, accepts the Distinguished Professional Award at the Kansas Recreation & Park Association annual conference. GBRC Program Coordinator Chris Umphres, left, presents the award. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

 

 

Administrators from the Great Bend Recreation Commission received statewide recognition at the Kansas Recreation & Park Association’s annual conference, held Jan. 24-27 at Topeka. Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick received the Distinguished Recreation Programmer award, and Executive Director Diann Henderson received the Distinguished Professional Award. GBRC Program Coordinator Chris Umphres presented the award to Henderson.

Members of the GBRC Board met Monday and received the 2010-11 annual report. According to the report, 16,497 people enrolled in recreational activities last year. Participation in GBRC programs included 115,930 individuals plus 67,896 spectators. The Recreation Commission provided 14,298 hours of supervised recreation programs.

This was accomplished with 154 part-time and seasonal staff. During the year, the average cost per enrollee was $15.16. GBRC provided $19,207.50 in scholarships for economically challenged individuals and senior discounts.

Some GBRC highlights listed in the report:

• 89 teams participated in the Walk Kansas program cosponsored with the Barton County Extension.

• The Special Needs Lite & Lively program completed its fourth year with 450 participants.

• The Cavanaugh Wellness Center completed the third year of operation with 309 members; it was used 7,234 times.

• GBRC sponsored the Hap Dumont State Tournament for ball players 11 years and younger in July. Hap Dumont tournaments were also offered in April and June, along with an ASA softball tournament.

• The Rec provided 5,986 hours of youth sports practices for GBRC teams.

• The STEPS exercise classes for people 50 years and older completed the final year of its grant as a free program sponsored by the Kansas Department on Aging and the Recreation Commission.

• Stop ‘N Learn sessions provided 141 hours of education information and total attendance was 1,366.

• The summer youth theater production was seen by 250 people at the Crest Theater.

• The first family friendly Turkey Hunting Seminar had 130 participants. It was sponsored in part with the National Wild Turkey Federation and Kansas Wetlands Education Center. It also brought in 143 items for the Food Bank.

• MACK Day was held in partnership with the Model Association of Central Kansas. On a rainy day, over 100 people attended the model plane flying demonstration and were served free hot dogs.