Memorial Stadium projects ramp up
Aug. 8—First day of practice for the Great Bend High School football team is Aug. 14. Great Bend USD 428's $2 million turf and track project at Great Bend High School's Memorial Stadium will be ready by then.
"That's the game plan," noted GBHS Activities Director Matt Westerhaus Friday morning.
With football season looming, the field finish is top priority, Westerhaus noted. The project began with closure of the track and field to the public on May 25, with removal continuing down to the bare base. Texas-based Hellas Corporation, the contractor, then began adding back layers toward the final bi-colored turf surface on the field.
A special added cushion, a rubberized component called the Cushdrain, is what's visible now as the black surface on the field. It serves as both cushion underlayment and drainage assist, Westerhaus said. "The base under the field was actually better than under the track, so that helped that part of the project move faster," he noted.
Unexpected bonus
An unexpected bonus occurred in July when Hellas told district officials it would add an eighth lane to the track for the same money because they needed less turf that was originally planned for.
Both Westerhaus and track coach Lyles Lashley noted that having eight lanes is big at the Kansas State High School Activities Association, when making regional meet assignments.
A regional meet would bring 9-10 teams to Great Bend, that would add to the local economy. Other track amenities receiving attention include the high jump, long jump and triple jump areas, which also help garner a regional assignment.
The track will have red colored surfacing, with black exchange zones.
Finishing the track, however, will take a little longer, Westerhaus said.
"The entire track surface was torn up and redone, down to the base," Westerhaus said. "We hope to have the asphalt down for the track sometime in the week of the 14th (August); the track surfacing will come a little later."
GBHS opens the football slate hosting a jamboree Aug. 25 that includes Hoisington, Russell and Scott Community football squads in structured scrimmage play.
The first home game is Friday, Sept. 1, at Great Bend, hosting McPherson.
