The heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at the Crest Theater in Great Bend is the same unit that was installed when the building was constructed in 1950. Freon has been leaking from the air conditioner since last year, and more recently it was discovered the heating unit was not working correctly.

After a quick assessment by Professional Engineering Consultants, it was determined the system and boiler were not worth repairing for the long term, but Great Bend Building Inspector Lee Schneider says something needs to be done to the boiler now before winter and the cold weather arrives.

Lee Schneider Audio

Schneider says early estimates show a new HVAC could cost around $350,000 in just equipment.

The Great Bend City Council approved a motion to have PEC develop a proposal for a design cost, but Schneider says creating a design would not start until next spring or summer if the city accepts the proposal. The design itself would take two to three months to complete.

Schneider also says finding the location for the condensing unit, or air condition remains a question too.

Lee Schneider Audio

The Crest Theater sits on its property line as the whole building, meaning there is no room to place an outdoor unit unless the city was granted permission to use the south parking lot owned by Rosewood Services. Schneider says trying to place the unit on the roof could be physically difficult and would require a roof assessment to make sure the roof could handle the weight, an assessment that could cost $50,000.

Commonwealth Theater donated or deeded the Crest Theater to the City of Great Bend with a small yearly lease payment.

BUSINESS NEWS

A plan with no data is merely an opinion. Strategic planning is an organizational effort to set priorities and focus resources towards common goals.  In this workshop you will learn options for identifying and organizing relevant data, approaches to establishing a shared vision, and methods to move your team or organization to action.

Produced outcomes are attributed to advanced planning.  Our expert facilitator will provide individuals and teams with the framework for change.  This workshop is geared towards business administrators, civic groups, executive directors, CEOs, small business owners, and individuals interested in developing a shared planned.  Strategic direction provides the competitive advantage.

Registration is just $50.00 and includes all workshop materials and lunch.  The workshop is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Holiday Inn Express in Great Bend.  Online registration is available now at www.goldenbeltcf.org/leadership with a September 8th deadline.  A limited number of scholarships are available to nonprofit organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford County, Kansas.

Meet the Facilitator:

Joyce McEwen Crane, PhD, PCC, BCC, believes that a deeply discerning and flexible understanding of relationships and systems is one of the hallmarks of masterful leadership. Dr. McEwen Crane employs and teaches this and other skills in her work as a professional consultant and coach for businesses, foundations, community coalitions and nonprofits across the state of Kansas, for which she provides multiple organizational capacity-building strategies. Having owned two successful businesses, managed two counseling centers, and provided corporate training and curriculum development for several relationship-based programs in Kansas, Dr. McEwen Crane brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her work on the teaching and coach teams at the Kansas Leadership Center. She also serves as the Strategic Development Coordinator for the Community Engagement Institute of Wichita State University.

For more information about this event or Leadership Golden Belt contact Sue Cooper at Golden Belt Community Foundation by calling (620) 792-3000 or by email at sue@goldenbeltcf.org.

Golden Belt Community Foundation believes that leadership is a skill that continuously needs to be refined to propel and influence objectives.  We provide you with several local opportunities to inspire you to be the solution.  All events are open to individuals cultivating their leadership skills.  Leadership Golden Belt workshops, events, and activities are all possible because of the endowment fund established by Kansas Health Foundation, for a community leadership program, at the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

It was announced last week that Sunny, the Bengal Tiger at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, was euthanized just before his 19^th birthday. The tiger’s health and quality of life dipped after years of fighting severe arthritis, stomach ulcers, and kidney failure.

Great Bend zookeeper Ashley Burdick says the hot summer weather did not help the conditions for the older tiger.

Ashley Burdick Audio

According to World Wildlife Organization, there are more captive tigers in the United States than there are in the wild. There are approximately 5,000 captive tigers in the U.S. compared to roughly 3,200 tigers in the wild.

Burdick mentioned renovations will need to be done to the existing tiger exhibit in Great Bend before the zoo seeks their next tigers. Depending on the species of tiger, the zoo may have to enclose the top of the exhibit or add a holding pen.

Acquiring new tigers should not be a problem according to Burdick.

Ashley Burdick Audio

The zoo will seek to acquire Malayan or Sumatran tigers through the Species Survival Plan. The SSP was created in 1981 to assist in the survival of select species in zoos, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.

Last summer, the zoo dealt with their lion (Boss) being euthanized. In 2015, the zoo mourned the death of the second-oldest spider monkey in the world after Spidey made it to 50 years old. Burdick says the zoo is steadily lowering the average age at the zoo.

Although ugliness has spilled out from both sides of the issue centered on Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch’s suspension, one sentiment has come across more and more. The majority of the community wants what is best for Great Bend, to see the town grow and prosper, and appreciates those people that serve to make the town better.

Referring to herself as Great Bend’s loudest cheerleader, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes was applauded for her efforts to bring entertainment and improve the city by Great Bend City Council member Mike Boys.

Mike Boys Audio

Hayes organized another Party in the Park on August 12 where hundreds of people gathered at Veterans Memorial Park for all-day family activities. Over 1,200 residents showed up for the concerts that evening.

Hayes says the city staff comes together for the event to benefit Great Bend.

Christina Hayes Audio

Couch was suspended in July after making claims of misconduct with city administration and since then community members have demanded more governmental transparency. Great Bend residents have protested both sides of the ongoing saga, but more emphasis is being put on protesting peacefully and not with threats.

Barton County Sheriff’s Office Incident Log (8/21)

Burglary / Not in Progress

At 7:45 a.m. residential burglary was reported at 1238 NE 160 Road in Claflin.

Great Bend Police Department Incident Log (8/21)

Criminal Damage

At 8:55 a.m. report of tires on his vehicle being slashed was made at 5926 Eisenhower Avenue Apt. 38.

Traumatic Injuries

At 9:36 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 5210 10th Street 7.

Sick Person

At 9:38 a.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1717 Van Buren Street.

Criminal Damage

At 10:29 a.m. Brit Spaugh Zoo, 2123 Main Street, reported someone cutting a hose and attempting to steal fuel.

Non-Injury Accident

At 12:52 p.m. report of a gas meter leaning over was made at 1219 Washington Avenue.

Breathing Problems

At 2:25 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 1717 Van Buren Street.

Non-Injury Accident

At 3:44 p.m. an accident was reported at Broadway & McKinley Street.

Theft

At 4:49 p.m. report of a subject using a credit card without permission was made at 6018 Hemlock Dr.

At 9:07 p.m. Walmart, 3503 10th Street, reported two unknown females attempting to steal items.

Diabetic Problems

At 11:06 p.m. EMS assistance was needed at 2920 Quivira Avenue.

BOOKED: Maisha Allen of Wichita on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

RELEASED: Evelyn King of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case after serving her sentence.

RELEASED: Lee Jacobs of Great Bend on all local charges to KDOC, transported to El Dorado Correctional Facility.

RELEASED: Brandon Finnesy of Hays on all local charges to KDOC, transported to El Dorado Correctional Facility.

RELEASED: William Ellington of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court warrants for contempt of court, released after receiving an order of release from GBMC.

RELEASED: Christopher Harper of Hays on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court after receiving order of release from GBMC.

RELEASED: Brian Fellers on State of Kansas Parole A&D after receiving an order of warrant withdraw from the Kansas Department of Corrections.