Kiowa County Commons cuts ribbon

The Kiowa County Commons held their official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new multifunction building on Main Street on Tuesday morning.

The multi-million dollar building houses the Kiowa County Media Center, the Greensburg branch of the Kiowa County Library, the local K-State Research and Extension office and the Kiowa County Historical Museum and renovated Hunter's Drug Store Soda Fountain. 

The social event attended by an estimated 225 people, including representatives from various government entities, private companies, area residents and buildings residents, commemorated the construction of the building with a number of speeches, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a dedication. 

"I am very proud today because this [building] is the bow on top of the present for the county’s recovery,” said Kiowa County Recovery Coordinator and Media Center board member Matt Christenson. "The city lost many facilities in the tornado and it’s been a very long process, over four years to build back what we lost. But with this facility opening up here today, it’s a feather in our cap. It’s a great new facility and it wouldn’t have happened without the hard work of a lot of talented people. That’s what I’d like to focus on today.”

Christenson thanked a laundry list of notable supporters and emceed the speeches from President of the Kiowa County Historical Society Travis Barnes, K-State Associate Director of Extension and Applied Research Dr. Daryl Buchholz, Kiowa County Library Director Debby Allison, Dr. Bert Biles of K-State, Patty Clark from USDA, Mark McCluggage, the President of GLMV Architecture, Gil Compton of Compton Construction and Steve Harsha from FEMA.

Sen. Jerry Moran sent his Deputy State Director Mike Zamzrla to address the crowd on his behalf and Sen. Pat Roberts sent his State Agricultural Representative Mel Thompson.

“I wish some more students were here because as we view Greensburg and Kiowa County, we start to see that kids don’t have to move some place else to earn a living,” said Thompson. “They don’t have to go someplace else to experience that dream they have of the future. They can experience that dream right here in Greensburg and Kiowa County. We’re excited to see the business that might come to Greensburg because of the Media Center.”

A number of area students manned the video cameras and television equipment that broadcast the events live on the Media Center’s website. 

Most of the entities inside of the building have been open and operational, with the Kiowa County Historical Museum becoming the final resident to officially open its doors.

The museum, helmed by newly appointed Director Jim Crawley, has been completed and houses artifacts and displays that tell the history of Kiowa County. 

There is a section on the creation of Kiowa County on one wall and on the other, a miniature church façade that displays photos of various area churches in Belvidere, Mullinville and Haviland.

“It is a huge stress and weight lifted off of my shoulders,” said Crawley about the grand opening. “ I’m trying to figure out what else I need to do. Everybody’s been really…. great, is the best word I can use to describe it.”

Crawley watched earlier in the day when crowds of visitors strolled through the museum and found personal connections with pictures or displays. “Some people told me that when they walked through the museum that they pointed to pictures and said ‘hey I know that person!’”

Wylan Fleener admired the large display featuring his great-grandfather *** Fleener and shared a memory of his grandparents packing appliances into the trunk of the family car on their way to their vacation home in Palm Springs, Calif., referencing a mention of the home on a portion of the display.

Longtime Hunter’s Drug soda jerk Richard Huckriede attended the official opening of the adjoining soda fountain and was rewarded with the first official hand stirred Coke and a round of applause.

“I was told that some people were crying, because the soda fountain has been such a staple in the community for such a long time,” added Crawley.

The day concluded with an intimate reception, sponsored by the Media Center to thank Dr. Bert Biles and his K-State colleague Brandon Utech for their continued effort and support of the Media Center. Media Center President Jan West introduced the two men and personally thanked them before presenting both men with commemorative prints of the Commons Building designs.

“I will get through this without crying,” said West, who made it about two minutes before reaching for a tissue. “An incredible four and a half years ago Bert came to this community and asked us ‘how can we help?’ It has been a thrill and it has been a bit scary because Bert’s imagination and vision outshines the sun.”

“Greensburg, it’s a remarkable story,” shared Biles. “What has happened here and what continues to happen here. People ask me ‘how is it possible for [the Media Center] to happen here?’ Because considering the level of destruction, the people who are here now made a conscious decision to be here. They said ‘I’m in.’”

editor@kiowacountysignal.com