Great Bend will be the site for the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s 2A-1A State Baseball Tournament again in 2015. Diann Henderson, executive director of the Great Bend Recreation Center, shared the news Friday morning at the monthly GBRC board meeting.
“I have signed a letter of agreement with the KSHSAA to host the tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex May 28 and 30, 2015,” Henderson told the Great Bend Tribune on Friday afternoon. It will be a joint project of the City of Great Bend, Great Bend USD 428 and GBRC.
Great Bend hosted KSHSAA 2A-1A State Baseball and Softball tournaments for the first time in 2014, and sent a proposal to host the tournaments for another year. While Great Bend was successful in getting the baseball tournament again, the softball tournament will move to Pratt in 2015.
“The state officials were very pleased with our facility,” Henderson said. “They look at alternate locations every year.” She said the Great Bend Sports Complex was adequate for baseball and softball, but officials prefer separate gate admissions.
“We’ve very pleased,” Henderson said of the opportunity to offer the state tournament again. Great Bend was chosen over facilities such as the Legends Park in Dodge City. “We can be pretty proud here in Great Bend.” She noted that community support, including volunteers and announcers, will again be needed
KCAC bid
Great Bend also hosted the 2014 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball and Softball Tournament, held here April 30 through May 3, and is already scheduled to host the tournament again in 2015. The City and GBRC have put together a proposal to host that tournament in 2016 and 2017. At Friday’s meeting, the board formally acknowledge the proposal, Henderson said. “We’re excited to do that.”
Other business
In other business, the board approved the purchase of a Cannon Image Runner 6255 copier from Office Products Inc. for $11,409.95, which includes maintenance. OPI submitted the only bid, Henderson said.
The board was informed that Great Bend USD 428 will make an appointment to the GBRC board, to fill the position of Dr. Mary Misegadis when her term expires on Dec. 31. She is not eligible to be reappointed to that position. GBRC will make recommendations, but it will be a USD 428 appointment. Anyone interested in serving may contact the school district.
The GBRC board normally meets on the second Monday of the month, but the October meeting was moved to noon Friday because Henderson and some of her staff will attend the National Recreation and Parks Association convention next week at Charlotte, N.C. On Thursday afternoon, the meeting time was changed to 8:30 a.m. Friday when Henderson learned there would not be a quorum at a noon meeting.
