ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal City Commission will be hearing a handful of updates at its next meeting this evening starting at 5:30. This evening’s meeting will be in the commission chambers at the Liberal Recreation Center at 950 S. Grant Ave.
After hearing an update from Finance Director Kristyn Reust about the 2025 grants, the commission will then hear a request to update the HVAC unit at the Tourist Information Center.
“The current heating and air conditioning system at the Tourist Information Center is 29 years old. Building Maintenance has worked on it many times in the last few years, and the current condenser is in very bad condition,” the agenda information noted. “Therefore, staff budgeted to replace the entire system with an updated, more energy efficient model. Staff obtained three bids, and recommends accepting the bid from HECO, LLC for $9,500 due to one bid not including enough information to determine specifications on the units. This was a 2026 budgeted expense from the Convention and Tourism Fund.”
The commission will then hear a request for some updates to the area around the new Ruby Red Slipper Slide.
“Staff would like to add additional public art pieces to the Dorothy’s Slipper Slide area. This year, staff has chosen a rainbow bench, which will sit at the northwest corner of the cement slab to enhance the space with seating, as well as add an additional photography opportunity,” the agenda information noted. “Staff changed the design to make the seat flat, giving people the option to take photos from either the north or the south. The bench is made from old wind turbine blades, making it heavy and durable. Since the custom-made bench will take three to four months for production, Staff recommend signing a contract and paying a deposit to Noblewins to get the bench manufactured, shipped, and installed for the summer travel season. This is a 2026 budgeted expense from the Convention and Tourism Fund.”
To conclude the meeting’s new business, the commission will hear an update from some recent site work done at Adventure Bay Water Park.
“This is to review the void results and to encourage a broader discussion about future options for Adventure Bay Water Park,” the agenda information noted. “These results provide important insights into current conditions and trends affecting the facility. They highlight both the challenges staff is facing and the consequences of maintaining the status quo. In particular, the findings underscore the need for thoughtful, long-term planning. While the results may not point to a single solution, they do offer a valuable foundation for informed decision-making. Looking ahead, staff encourages consideration of a range of options for the future of Adventure Bay. These may include restoration and conservation initiatives, infrastructure or resiliency improvements, revised land-use or development strategies, and increased community engagement to ensure that public priorities are reflected in any chosen path. Exploring multiple scenarios – and clearly communicating their benefits, risks, and costs – will help the community better understand the tradeoffs involved. Adventure Bay is one of the city’s most important assets, and decisions made now will shape its condition and accessibility for decades to come. Staff appreciates the Liberal City Commission’s leadership on this issue and respectfully ask these test results be used as a starting point for an open, transparent discussion about Adventure Bay’s future.”
