For more than two decades, the Salina Optimist Club has been a steady presence at Bill Burke Memorial Park, running the concession stand that served thousands of local baseball and softball players, families, and fans.
An affiliate of Optimist International, the Salina club focuses on supporting area youth through community service and leadership development programs. Managing the concession stand became one of its hallmark efforts—funding scholarships, youth initiatives, and civic projects through the proceeds.
However, after 25 years of continuous operation, the club stepped away from the concession business in 2025, citing a shortage of volunteers needed to maintain the demanding event schedule. Their decision opened the door for the City of Salina to seek a new operator through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the upcoming 2026 season.
City officials noted that the concession facilities were renovated in 2023, positioning the site for a smooth transition to a new vendor who can continue the long tradition of providing food and beverage service at one of Salina’s busiest sports complexes.
