The Salina City Commission heard a detailed presentation on a proposal to establish a permanent Boys and Girls Club facility in Sunset Park during their August 25, 2025 study session.
Lance Patterson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hutchinson and Salina, presented plans for a 13,000-square-foot facility to be located in the southern portion of Sunset Park, specifically in an area known as Bondy Park. The proposed location would require the removal of one baseball diamond that is currently used only for practice.
"The advisory board has identified the location on the southern end of Sunset Park as ideal, and it sits between several of the highest need elementary schools, allowing us to serve those who need us most," Patterson told commissioners.
The Boys and Girls Club has already secured significant funding for the project, including a $3 million pledge from the Applequest family fund for construction and a $500,000 commitment from the Ted and Almita Augustine donor advised fund through Mark Augustine and Donna Augustine Shaw.
Patterson explained that the organization plans to begin operations at Oakdale Elementary School in November 2025, initially serving third through fifth-grade students. The club intends to "age up" with these students each year, eventually expanding services to include kindergarten through high school.
The proposal requests a long-term, no-cost lease agreement with the city for the land, along with infrastructure support including water and sewer extensions to the property line, basic groundskeeping, and snow removal for the parking lot.
City staff indicated they have conducted several Development Review Team meetings to evaluate the site's feasibility regarding zoning, water usage, and utilities.
Commissioners expressed general support for the project but requested a neighborhood meeting to gather input from residents and the baseball community before finalizing any agreement.
"I think this is a good program, and I like the private-public partnership," said Commissioner Hoppock, while emphasizing the importance of consistency in gathering neighborhood input.
City Manager Wood will work with legal staff to draft a lease agreement to bring back to the commission for further consideration.
