Future of BEC is still uncertain

By Rod Haxton, editor

For more than a decade, the Bryan Education Center has fulfilled its goal of helping traditional and non-traditional students fulfill their career goals.
What the future holds for the BEC building is much less certain as it prepares to close its doors in downtown Scott City, the victim of budget cuts at Garden City Community College.
“This was a tough decision,” says Della (Brueggeman) Brandenburger, chairman of the GCCC trustees and former Scott City resident. “Hopefully, you can pull together, as Scott City always does, and make something good happen here.”
The future of the building, however, hinges on a recently released engineer’s report which recommends repairs costing in excess of $100,000. Floor renovation plans are pegged at just over $17,000. Concerns about the roof are the major issue, with one repair option estimated at $94,500 and another option estimated at $127,750.
“We were waiting for these cost figures. Now we can sit down at the table and see who has interest in the building and what the community’s options are,” says Ryan Roberts, director of the Scott Community Foundation. “It would appear to be a huge undertaking for anyone who wants to take over the building.”
Even before the city, county or another party can enter the picture they will first need to know what the GCCC Endowment Association plans to do with the building. When the building was donated to the college by the Art Bryan family in 1996, the Endowment Association assumed ownership.
No decision has been made as to whether to sell the building or deed it over to a local government entity, if they are interested, according to Melinda Harrington, executive director of the Endowment Association. She felt that decision would be made by the Endowment board within the next 30 days.

Engineer’s Report
She didn’t feel the building’s condition was as dire as the engineer’s cost figures would seem to indicate.
“The summary does state the building is in reasonably good operating condition. The engineers are recommending these improvements,” she said.
The report from Dudley Williams and Associates, Wichita, states the east end of the south half of the building “seems to be structurally adequate” and no modifications are recommended to this area. On the other hand, it says the pitched roof framing area on the majority of the southern half of the building “does not appear to be adequate.”
“The roof framing system is noticeably sagging due to the weight of the operable partition,” according to the report. “It is our opinion that the current roof framing system is not adequate to support the weight of the operable wall and the governing building code required roof loads and snow loads.”
Complete removal of the existing roof and construction of a new roof framing system is estimated to cost $127,750. Construction of a new roof structure and roof system over the existing pitched roof area is estimated at $94,500.
Obviously, GCCC has no interest in making those structural repairs.
“The bigger issue for the engineers is a huge snow storm and the weight that would put on the roof,” Harrington says. “But that’s true with any older building in town.”
Now that the engineer’s report and cost estimates are available, she says the Endowment Association is waiting to hear from Scott City and Scott County officials.
“We might have to have a meeting and see what we can work out. If city and county officials aren’t ready to make a proposal, or do some final planning for the building, and submit that to us, then we’ll move forward on our end with some options for the city and county or any other interested parties to look at,” says Harrington.
At the same time, Harrington says the Endowment Association recognizes the community has already made a significant investment in the Center. In 2000, the county borrowed $225,000 which was earmarked for renovations to the building. That note was paid off in 2007.
“We are very sensitive to the financial contributions that the city and county put into the Center 10 years ago. We recognize this and it’s something the board will definitely take into consideration,” she notes.
“The Endowment Association would love to honor the Bryan family and keep this an education center. If we can reach some agreement with local officials on a price, or deeding the building, or whatever the case may be, I’m very hopeful that maybe (GCCC) classes can be moved back in here.”
In the meantime, GCCC has reached an agreement with USD 466 to rent space at Scott Community High School for Outreach classes.

Closing Ceremony
A reception and ceremony on Tuesday afternoon was an opportunity to recognize current and past employees of the BEC. It also allowed GCCC representatives to reaffirm their commitment to serving the community through its Outreach program.
It was an emotional moment for Vicki Krehbiel, who has been the BEC’s only director since its doors opened in March of 1997.
Many high school students attended classes at the BEC where they could earn concurrent credits towards their high school diploma and college. At its peak, the BEC was averaging 70 students annually for several years.
While attending a commencement program this spring at Ft. Hays State University, Krehbiel said a number of students who received their diplomas were among those who had gotten their start at the BEC.
“This was the start to fulfilling the dreams for many non-traditional students,” she said. “It makes you feel good to have had a part in that.”