The number of programs offered by the Great Bend Recreation Commission has remained steady or slightly ahead of last year, Director Diann Henderson reports. But with no American Red Cross office in town, the commission hasn’t been able to offer a spring course for baby-sitter training.
The Red Cross Office in Great Bend closed Sept. 2, 2011, along with other offices across the nation, as part of a cost-saving measure.
Program coordinators reported on recent activities during Monday’s GBRC board meeting.
Program Coordinator Megan Hammeke said special populations clients enjoyed crafts and cooking/nutrition classes in February. Bowling was offered three times, with about 29 participants at each session, but the best-attended event was the Valentine’s Dance, with 93 clients and their staff attending.
Hammeke is also in charge of programs for senior citizens. The Valentine’s Party at the Senior Center had 45 attendees, who were entertained by Jefferson Elementary first graders.
Some February programs were canceled because of snow, but Leisure Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick said one program was enhanced by the snows: Each year, GBRC officers a contest for the best snow sculpture. People can send photos of their creations to GBRC, P.O. Box 353, Great Bend, KS 67530, or e-mail them to gfitzpatrick@gbrc.kscoxmail.com. Entries should include a list of all the participants that helped make the creation, along with the mailing address and phone number of a contact person. The contest runs through March 31, and winners will be announced the first week of April.
Fitzpatrick also organized a Valentine’s Day event for GBRC’s “Entertaining Meals” series. Forty-four people attended. There were also 22 participants at a recent hunter safety course.
He noted that Walk Kansas gets under way Sunday, March 17, so participants need to get their teams signed up this week at the Barton County Extension Office.
Sports Coordinator Chris Umphres said youth soccer has started with 34 teams. There are also eight high school teams and eight adult teams. GBRC also offers adult volleyball, and is taking enrollments for summer baseball and softball.
Henderson reported that for the month of February there were 2,915 people enrolled in activities, with 7,643 participants, of which 3,039 were spectators. GBRC offered 926.5 hours of supervised activities.