There were two key take-aways following a joint work session with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Great Bend City Council Wednesday night.

First, when it comes to the fate of the chamber-managed Expo I and II buildings, there are no easy answers.

Second, the devil is in the details, or in this case, the lack of them.

Chamber and city officials crowded into the cramped Expo I office to brainstorm and imagine what the future holds for the cavernous structures. In the end, both parties agreed to keep talking.

“We may have to do it hand in hand,” said chamber Board Chairman Jerry Renk.

Unanswered questions

According to the night’s discussion, the two buildings were built decades ago to accommodate the 3i Show. Through industrial revenue bonds, the chamber built Expo I and II for $375,000 on land owned by Great Bend. 

The chamber still owns (maybe) and maintains the structures, but leases the ground under them from the city at no cost. However, the deeds are vague and there are no clear titles, chamber and city representatives said.

“The concerns are about what the futures of those buildings are going forward,” Renk said. “Everyone is in agreement that they are an asset to the area and should be an asset into the future.”

But, “what do we do with the buildings if they don’t fit into our mission?” he said. A smaller, nimbler chamber is more focused on growing its membership and helping its members than on time-consuming events that stretch the staff thin.

More importantly, “we need to get them revenue-positive and at least not bleed as badly,” Renk said, adding they are losing money at an unsustainable rate.

Revenue from the 3i Show, which was replaced 11 years ago by the Great Bend Farm, Ranch and Hemp Expo, paid for the buildings and their upkeep. The chamber coordinated the ag show and charged for use of their facilities. 

Getting 25% of they 3i’s take, the chamber made as much as $50,000-plus per year in the show’s heyday. However, income from the new show dwindled following the transition, and in July, Farm Expo promoter Bird City-based Star Enterprises announced it was moving the event to Hutchinson.

In addition, up until 2019, the city contracted with the chamber for economic development services at about $150,000 annually. However, the city ended this agreement, action that led to the formation of Great Bend Economic Development Inc.

“We’re charged with fulfilling our mission,” said Chamber President Megan Barfield. “This is not a loss for the chamber, it is a loss for the business community.”

The gorilla in the room

So, “where is the home for these now?” Renk said. He suggested they could be managed by GBED or the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“What are you recommending doing?” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jolene Biggs.

“That is the 800-pound gorilla,” Renk said.

It was suggested that the chamber turn the buildings over to the city and receive some compensation for its past maintenance of them.

“I’m a little surprised you want compensation,” Biggs said.

“You’re getting a multi-million-dollar facility,” Renk said. He estimated it would cost over $10 million to construct the same buildings today, and there are no other venues like this in the area.

Besides, the buildings are in good shape for the most part, Renk said. “They just need some TLC.”

“The city doesn’t have the budget for it either,” Biggs said. The CVB is funded solely through the bed tax which also pays for the city’s Events Center, another facility that doesn’t break even.

“It’s up to the chamber to come up with a proposal,” said City Administrator Kendal Francis. “What does it want?”

For the chamber’s part, Renk said it was hard for them to make a proposal without knowing if the city was even interested.

Let’s have a show

The Great Bend Expo Complex is a sprawling facility owned by the city about three miles west of town. The land was once part of the U.S. Army Air Corp B-29 base during World War II that was turned over to the city after the war.

Also on the grounds are a number of other structures and facilities owned/leased and operated by the city and other entities.

These include: The National Guard Armory (which pays $1 per year); the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association Dragstrip (rented from the city); the Expo III building (owned by the Barton County Fair Association and leased on ground owned by the city); the Great Bend Motocross Park (leased by the local GBMX committee on city property; and the rodeo arena (owned by the city).

With so many venues, there is a lot going on at complex. An Expo Grounds Committee with members from all parties meets every fall to go over calendars and schedules for the coming year to avoid overlapping activities.

The chamber still rents Expo I and II for between $750 and $1,500 per day. But, between the weekends taken up by the SRCA races and the National Guard, it is difficult to find open dates.

The chamber doesn’t charge SRCA nor the Fair Board for use of the buildings.

The idea of bringing in a show to replace the Farm Expo was discussed. 

“This has potential, but it is going to take someone to promote it,” Renk said. But, neither the chamber nor the city have the resources nor manpower to make that happen.

It was mentioned hiring someone whose job it would be to manage the buildings and recruit events. But, again, who would do the hiring, the chamber or the city?

Other ideas kicked around included indoor soccer fields or pickleball courts.

“Obviously, there is no easy answer,” said Ward 2 Councilman Kevyn Soupiset. With only three of eight council members and no mayor present, it was impossible for those there to reach a consensus, he said.

However, it was noted by both parties that they need to continue working together.