The mud volleyball pit created each year for Great Bend’s Party in the Park will move to the Expo grounds west of town, Assistant City Manager Logan Burns told the City Council on Monday. In the past, this event was at Veterans Memorial Park, along with other events at the day-long party in August.

Burns reported on Public Works projects, starting with the mud volleyball. He did not say why the mud volleyball court had to move, but there is now a splash pad and pavilion on the north side of the park. 

A new location at Veterans Memorial Park was explored but it didn’t work out, Burns said.

“We talked about the south side of the lake but with the logistics of trying to get down there and cleaning up everything this wasn’t going to work.”

City Administrator Brandon Anderson added, “We were looking at another alternative where we put in a pool that might hold the water. It could easily be pulled back up with a liner. But they just swear they have to have mud.” He said the city hopes to work with the Fair Board and may end up with a more permanent mud volleyball court with additional opportunities to use it, such as a tournament during the fair.

Community Coordinator Christina Hayes also mentioned the mud volleyball and the Aug. 10 Party in the Park in her report. She said they plan to place more vendors on the north side of the park, “kind of where mud volleyball was, and the Police Department will be having their dunk tank.

“We’re adding a Midwest Elite Wrestling exhibition; it’s not going to be in that muddy pit area – that was something Brandon joked about – they are bringing a ring to do some wrestling there,” Hayes said. “The car show is going to add some extra entertainment as well and a new rev competition. Our big concert will feature the Taylor Fugitt Band, Poison Overdose tribute band, and The Heathens.” Look for the full schedule on the Explore Great Bend Facebook page.

Hayes also reported that the July 3 fireworks display at the Expo was a big hit, with close to 500 cars inside the grounds, and hundreds more watching from outside the grounds.

Splash pad and more

Burns continued his report with news on the splash pad, which had to be shut down on Thursday. Staff discovered a blown capacitor on the feature motor.

“We replaced those capacitors and started back up and a very bad sound came from it,” he said. They found a problem on the shaft and the flywheel that could damage the pump. “So we got on the phone with Aquatix. They are sending a new motor and pump assembly. ... We hope to have that back up and running on Wednesday.”

On Wednesday, Public Lands Director Scott Keeler said the pump had not arrived so it would be Thursday at the earliest for the repairs to be done.

The Roof Masters crew will begin on the roof at both the Rec Center and City Hall this week, Burns continued. “I’m guessing this will be about seven to 10 days for them to complete that. Once school is back in session those crews will move back into Fire Station 2 as well as the Sports Complex to replace everything out there. 

“And then, finally, on the zoo update, we replaced some sidewalk around the lion exhibit. We’ll be putting new black chain link fence around the entire exhibit next week and hope to have that open to the public in the next couple of weeks.”

City Administrator’s Report

Anderson reported on city departments Monday.

Fire Department — “Call volume is still running at about 17% higher than it was this time last year. They will have a vacancy coming up on July 21, so we’ll be advertising for that position. In visiting with the chief, he wanted to express to everyone obviously it’s gotten hot and dry in a hurry. We do have quite a bit of growth out there, so fire danger has quickly elevated. Everyone (needs to) be very cautious while they’re out there and be aware of the fire danger.”

Police Department — GBPD continued their SWAT training on July 15. There are four open positions and the department has made three conditional offers. 

Public Works — They were set to start work on the storm box at 29th and Washington on July 16. They will also start working on a leaking meter at Los Cabos Fajita House, 619 Main, this week.

The city has been working on securing the 2022 C clip reimbursement from the state, Anderson said. “We’re also awaiting quite a bit of news from the state. We haven’t heard anything back from the C clip projects that we have submitted.” One thing the City is looking into are battery backups for traffic lights. “Hopefully we’ll be hearing about those very soon.”

Anderson also reminded everyone that the City does mosquito fogging on Tuesday evenings.

Anderson reminded the council of upcoming city events:

Bat Cats play Thursday and Saturday, July 18 and 20.

City band concerts are July 18 and 26.

Kids Bike Rodeo Saturday at 8 a.m. at Central Baptist Church.

Fridays on Forest on July 26. They’ll celebrate Air Fest and promote that event.