BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
In what is starting to sound like a broken record, participation numbers for the Great Bend Recreation Center continue to outdo the numbers from the prior years. As he does each month, GBRC Executive Director Chris Umphres shared the statistics for the prior month at the March board meeting.
In the month of February, there were 2,238 people enrolled in programs sponsored by the Recreation Commission. Total participation for the month was 10,534 and of that total, 3,957 were spectators. For the month, a total of 1,405 hours of supervised activities were offered. A year ago February, there were 2,132 people enrolled in programs with participation of 7,143 and included 1,451 spectators.
In January 2025, there were 2,283 people enrolled in programs sponsored by GBRC. Total participation for the month was 10,002 and of that total, 4,226 were spectators. Last year there were 2,046 people enrolled in programs with participation of 9,358 and included 4,463 spectators.
Looking back at December 2024, there were 3,671 people enrolled in programs sponsored by the Rec. Total participation for the month was 12,919 and of that total, 5,482 were spectators. In December 2023, there were 3,564 people enrolled in programs with participation of 10,588 and included 4,347 spectators.
When asked about the increase in numbers, Umphres was very complimentary of his staff and of the updated facilities they have to work with.
“We have a very good staff in place,” he said. “Shane (Sports Director Sandberg) has done a great job with the sports. He is very organized and makes good use of the facilities. Garet (Enrichment/Activity Center Director Fitzpatrick) and Megan (Aquatic and Marketing Director Hammeke) are experienced and know what needs to be done. Plus, the improvements we have made with the facilities is pulling in more participants and the spectators are coming out to watch.”
Enrichment report
The enrichment classes at the school sites after school are continuing and will run through mid-April. No classes will be held during Spring Break.
The following is a list of enrichment activities that will be offered during the month of March:
• Pre-School - Magic of Music
• Family - Imagination Playground, StoryWalk Adventures, Mommy & Me Princess Tea Party, This & That Craft, and Painting with Mom.
• Elementary - Artistic Adventure, Art Academy, Painting Lounge, The 3 C’s, Kitchen Crew, Penguin Pal, and Animal Painting Safari.
• Adult - Oil & Acrylic Painting, Line Dancing, Stop the Bleed, and Homemade Bread.
During spring break for USD 428, additional programs will be offered, including the Kids Day Out programs. On March 18, participants will be able to explore the Dillon’s Nature Center and play laser tag or bowling at the Alley in Hutchinson. On Thursday, March 20, there will be a guided tour of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays. These two activities are for students in grades 1st through 6th and will run from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.
The Rec will, once again, be hiding 20 plastic lizards around Veterans Lake and the My BackYard Playground for the annual Spring Break Lizard Hunt. If you find one of the lizards, return it to the Activity Center for your prize. Lizard hunting season will open March 14 and run through March 18. No lizards will be hidden inside the Dog Park or in the water at Veterans Lake and no lizards will be higher than 3 feet off the ground.
Enrichment, Aquatic report
Several adaptive activities were scheduled for February, but a few were cancelled due to the winter storms. Highlights for the month were bowling, Valentine Dance and Valentine Party, Heartfelt Welcome craft class, Snowman Stack craft class, afternoon matinee movie and Coffee and Craft class.
February activities included Fit for Life, Midday Stretch, Yoga, Cardio Blast, Chair Yoga, Suspension Training, Tai Chi, Rhythm Ride, Spin Strength and February Spin and Sculpt.
Sports report
Adult Basketball 3 on 3 league is halfway through the regular season. There are three regular season weeks left and will play our postseason games on Sunday, April 13.
The Spring Adult Volleyball Leagues are currently in session. In 2023 and 2024 there were 24 teams participating. In 2025, there are 28 teams. The big jump comes from the Wednesday Coed Spiking league.
Sandberg said Adult Pickleball 2.5-3.5 league is running on Tuesday nights in the City Auditorium. Once that is complete, they will start a 4.0 league for the more competitive players in town.
Another season of pickleball classes has wrapped up with Debbie Munz teaching these classes.
The Lil’ Ballers instructional basketball program returns March 25 and will go for four weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Games the last week will move from the Activity Center to the City Auditorium on April 15 and 17.
Esports open play came back this year on Tuesdays and Thursdays in February with over 20 participants.
Summer planning is happening now and GBRC is working on another schedule of activities. This includes finding instructors, booking day trips, looking for out-of-town organizations / instructors to come to Great Bend to offer some new opportunities for participants, projects, and other pre-summer duties.
