The Great Bend Recreation Commission’s board of directors received a clean 2009-10 audit report on Monday from Curtis W. Kuhn, a certified public accountant with McMillen Folkerts & Associates, P.A.

Kuhn noted the recreation commission ended its fiscal year with $767,591 in unencumbered cash, more than $1 million less than the year before, having a major capital outlay expense with the construction of the new GBRC Activity Center. Revenue from activities was in line with the previous year, he said.

Diann Henderson, executive director of the GBRC, said now that fitness classes have moved to the new facility, the rec commission is no longer using the fitness facility downtown, although it is maintaining utilities and insurance. The property is titled to the City of Great Bend, and the recreation commission entered into a lease-purchase agreement for the property in 1992. "Right now we do not know the marketability of that facility," Henderson said.

The board directed her to work with the city in pursuing options for the property.

Henderson also reported on receiving a Wii gaming system, donated by the Pilot Club for use by special populations, senior citizens and the general public. It is at the commons area of the Activity Center.

Henderson also told the board that "Road Closed" signs on the cul de sac south of the new Activity Center are being pushed over or moved at night, which has created extra work for staff but resulted in no damage to date.

Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick said the "longest tail feather contest" for pheasant hunters is still going on, and the GBRC will again offer a contest for best snow sculpture this winter.

In her attendance report for November, Henderson said there were 3,939 people enrolled in activities; total participation involved 9,438 people, of which 3,177 were spectators. GBRC offered 1,001 hours of supervised activities.