Proposed pond might attract geese
By Dana Adkins
Staff Writeer

A new pond is part of the Hutchinson Community College master plan, but water-related activities are not.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Bill Warner, dean of finance, said when asked about future activities and events the new pond might inspire.

The new pond is to be included in phase one of the master plan, which includes renovating the football stadium. The pond, which is estimated to cover nearly an acre, is necessary in order to provide an adequate drainage system for the new football field and track.  

On average, Warner said the pond would probably be three to four feet deep and up to nine feet when it rains.      

“We are looking at a very large pond,” said Steve Sears, agronomy / farm & ranch management instructor.   

Sears said he preferred making the designated area, which includes the south five tennis courts, into a parking lot and storing the water underground in a system similar to a septic system but said he also realized it was cost prohibitive.

If there would have been the option to move the location of the football field, Sears said his first choice would have been to move the field to the State Fair Grounds and split the cost between HCC, the State, and Hutchinson High School.  Cost will be shared with the high school.   

But according to Warner, the decision to keep the football field on campus was made over a period of several months by a large group of people, which included representatives from the HCC student government and the community.

“A football field needs to be on campus,” Warner said. “It keeps the students together.”          

But Sears believes that issues may come with having a large water surface on campus, such as liability, attracting ducks and geese, and keeping it free of debris.

“It’s going to be a maintenance nightmare,” Sears said.

Warner doesn’t anticipate the pond causing maintenance issues and said there were no plans to add to the maintenance staff.  He did say, however, that the pond would be very well protected and segregated from access on the south side.

In the end, it all comes down to money. According to Warner, the pond was the most cost-effective option, and the option recommended by the architectural firm.   

Phase one, which includes the football field and track, is being funded with current resources, and phase two, which includes the stadium, will be funded with a bond issue, Warner said.

Hutchinson high school will share the cost of both phases, but the percentage has not been finalized.       

As for the possibility of ducks and geese setting up camp at the new pond?

“They might find it,” Warner said.

Warner likes the pond plan. 

“Aesthetically, I think it’s going to be a great addition to the campus.”