The Great Bend City Council Monday night learned that the massive, gleaming metal sculpture planned to adorn the Sports Complex entrance is nearly ready for placement.
“I looked at the metal art work,” City Administrator Howard Partington told the council during his city update. “It is really impressive.”
In fact, he said the city will want to have an unveiling once it is installed. Work has begun at the site and the ceremony could take place in the near future.
The piece was designed by and will be installed by Hoisington’s B&B Metal Arts. The 25-foot-long, eight-foot-tall work will feature a baseball/softball motif. Money from the Thelma Harms Trust is paying for the entire project, from fabrication to installation in the park’s circular entrance.
The life-sized figures will include men, women and children playing ball. The retaining wall at the base, which will be built by Sharky Construction, will include metal cut-out letters reading “Great Bend Sports Complex.”
City Administrator Howard Partington said city officials worked with B&B so flag poles could be integrated into the design. The council approved the project in October of last year.
On a related note,  L&M Contractors of Great Bend completed placement of concrete at the complex on Jan. 31. Stone Sand Company started, also of Great Bened, completed placement of the millings adjacent to the new concrete work and in the south parking lot Monday.
Sutherlands Lumber
The council also learned that City Inspector Lee Schneider has completed his review of the Southerland Lumber plans.
It was announced in February of last year that the Kansas City, Mo.-based Sutherland Lumber Company had acquired the property at 5520 10th St., which formerly housed K-Mart and, most recently, Primus Sterilizer. The building was constructed in 1970 and contains 55,552 square feet.
Other items in Partington’s report included:
Engineering
• City engineering staff attended the pre-construction meeting for the Kansas Avenue pavement replacement project hosted by Kansas Department of Transportation on Jan. 28.
• Hosted a Field Check meeting with various KDOT staff on Jan. 29, to discuss design progress of the intersection improvements for the intersection of 24th and Main streets. Current schedule has a targeted let date is Sept. 18.
• L&M Contractors is scheduled to begin work on the Kansas Avenue pavement replacement project on Monday. Work will continue over the next three months.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• Held annual Department meeting to set goals for 2013.
• Personnel attended a class on the DOT Emergency Hazard Guide Book. The class was conducted by the Stuart Streck of the Hazmat Safety Assistance Team from the United States Department of Transportation.
• Conducted drivers training with the new units at the airport for personnel.
Public Works
• Salt and sanded streets due to icy roads, started repair of catch basin at 10th and Main.
• Annual pretreatment inspections at Fuller Brush and Great Bend Industries were conducted.
• The city sanitarian reported that there have been 212 year-to-date complaints, 40 new complaints (six from citizens and 34 by staff), 26 complaints completed by citizens two abatement notices sent and eight cars into compliance.
Police
• Officer Jefferson Davis provided a tour of the Police Department to Cub Scout Pack 1159.
• Jan. 27-30 – Chief Dean Akings attended the Joint Legislative Conference and Training in Topeka.
• Jefferson Elementary School in Great Bend was January’s “I Make a Difference” winner.
Administration
• Community Coordinator Christina Hayes is working with the Walk A Mile in her Shoes committee at the Family Crisis Center to plan the annual April event to be bigger for downtown.
• Hayes is also working with Miss Barton County and Miss Golden Belt Pageant committee. Pageant date is set for 7 p.m. March 9 at Great Bend High School Auditorium. Contestants are still being recruited with a deadline of Feb. 23.
• The 2013 activities calendar is under development. Hayes said there are several new events are in the brainstorming phase that will be announced in the near future.
• Dr. Martin Sellberg and Mike Johnson of Midwest Lifeteam were in Great Bend to discuss Midwest Lifeteam’s ground and air medical services to the community.