Land sale now official
Published on -2/24/2010, 1:30 PM
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By KALEY CONNER
The first bill signed into law during the 2010 Kansas legislative session approved the city's purchase of state-owned land needed to make the planned sports complex a reality.
The city of Hays also is purchasing a tract of land contiguous with Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course.
Gov. Mark Parkinson endorsed the legislation Thursday, which gives the city of Hays ownership of Fort Hays State University-owned land west of U.S. Highway 183 Bypass and south of Old U.S. Highway 40 for a planned 11-field sports complex.
Assistant City Manager Paul Briseno said he is pleased with how quickly the land acquisition received legislative approval.
"What it does do is fits nicely with the time frame to get this project going," Briseno said.
Bids for construction of the sports complex are to be let today and opened March 24. It's hoped the facility will be ready for play in the fall of 2011, with groundbreaking planned for this spring.
The 120 acres acquired for the sports complex was purchased for $300,500, with about 10 acres added to the golf course for a price tag of about $20,000.
The additional land currently is used as a driving range and practice green, Briseno wrote in an e-mail.
According to a press release from the governor's office, funds generated by the sale will be credited to FHSU's restricted fees fund to benefit the university farm.
"With the first bill reaching my desk, I am pleased to see the legislative session beginning to produce results," Parkinson stated in the press release. "This legislation will benefit the agricultural education efforts at Fort Hays State and the economic vision for the city of Hays."
The law will take effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.
