The weight room at Barton Community College’s Kirkman building has been refurbished and major equipment upgrades are taking place, thanks to the generosity of the Kip and Kelly Spray family. On Tuesday, the BCC Board of Trustees officially renamed that portion of the building the Kip and Kelly Spray Family Strength Training Center.
Soon a sign will be added to honor the family.
Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs discussed the matter with trustees earlier this month, at their January study session. Nancy Wiebe, the college’s executive director of institutional advancement, was also involved as the donations were through the BCC Foundation.
The Sprays’ daughter Kylee played volleyball at Barton two years ago, and the family came to appreciate the Athletic Department’s mission and goals for its students, Rolfs said. “They saw the family atmosphere that we have here.”
When he showed them the weight training room, Rolfs described the improvements he envisioned there. The Sprays said they’d help the college complete the entire project now, rather than in phases.
The trustees can name a building, room or program, Wiebe said. According to the “naming contract” with the BCC Foundation, the Sprays made an initial $25,000 donation to the athletic department and another $65,000 went to the Foundation in two payments. However, Rolfs said the family’s financial contribution in the past year actually came to $115,000.
Rolfs described a facility that will benefit all of the student athlete programs. “It will be a monster recruiting tool,” he added.
Some of the existing equipment will be enhanced, and some new equipment will be purchased.
“We’re going to have all new rubber flooring,” he said. The appearance of the facility has already been improved, with new graphics inside and out. The window graphics show students engaged in each of the sports programs offered at Barton. One of those students is Kylee Spray.
Other business
The board approved the following personnel appointments on the Barton County campus: Shelby Cunningham, Library Assistant, Outreach Services; faculty contract for Allan Collins, instructor of Career Technical Education (Corrections - Ellsworth); Brandon Stephenson, head volleyball coach; Kaitlin Otter, lead care provider; and Breahna Procopio, assistant care provider (part-time). Also approved was a faculty contract for Edward Dean, instructor of OSHA courses at the Fort Riley/Grand View Plaza campus.
The board approved a resolution to adopt a Hazard Mitigation Plan. As previously discussed, this will allow the college to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds in the event of a disaster. The eduKan audit was also approved.
