Where the buffalo roam

By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

The Hays City Commission will meet in a work session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and commissioners will discuss a proposed land exchange with Fort Hays State University.

As FHSU moves forward with its new soccer program, a location for a stadium is needed. President Edward H. Hammond has proposed a land swap of similar-sized, state-owned parcels of land, one of which is leased by the city and one leased by the university.

"They approached us with the idea of possibly swapping those two parcels of land, and we just told them we'd bring it to the commission," said Assistant City Manager Mark Loughry.

The university is interested in a tract of about 10 acres that is used to house the buffalo herd near Frontier Park.

In exchange, the university has offered about 9 acres of land north of Golf Course Road on the west side of U.S. Highway 183 Alternate. This would allow the city to expand Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course, which currently is landlocked.

"Because that's contiguous with (Fort Hays State University's) current land, where their softball complex is and stuff, they really wondered if it might be better for them to have that land," Loughry said. "And then we'd get land that's contiguous with where the golf course is, and they're almost the same size. "

A con to the proposal, cited on the commission's work session agenda, is the fact the buffalo would have to be relocated, which would take them farther from the historical fort and possibly require fence construction.

According to the agenda, the possibility of locating the buffalo on city-owned land east of Home Depot and north of Interstate 70 has been discussed. Staff estimates suggest it could cost between $250,000 and $400,000 to construct two fences on this tract of land.

Two fences are required for public safety reasons.

"There's some obvious concerns that have to be addressed on both sides," Loughry said. "But ultimately, even if we are all in agreement, which I don't know where this is going to end up ... it has to go to the state for approval and that could take a while to do."




Hammond has had another brain fart. Where does he come up with this crap anyway???

Does anyone think that being up by HomeDepot would bring more tourism past the Buffalo...
I bet the poor things don't even know they're about to be evicted.

It's a stupid idea.

moving them up there would not make any sense whatsoever. They are in a location that places them in an ideal location for travel and tourism near the Old Fort Hays museum, the pens are already built to hold them and protect them. This is an idea hatched by a typical beaurocrat that has no regard for history or fiscal responsiblity. If they want to move something that will make a real difference to the town, move the university and experiment station feedyards away from town to get the foul stench they emit away from people in town.

it's nice to take the kids to the park and see the buffaloes-they best not move 'em -how long they been there anyways??Plus it's too busy down there-if I were a buffalo I wouldn't want to be at home depot

wilkykav2 wrote:

it's nice to take the kids to the park and see the buffaloes-

I agree! That's one of the things we do when we go to Hays. It just wouldn't be the same, and some things just should be left as they are.

I agree, I just didn't know traffic wise if they'd see more visitors. I think that it should be left alone, and a soccer field can go across 183 to the other spot that FHSU apparently owns anyway.

The spot that Hammond offered to the city so they can expand the golf course may include the Fort Hays to Fort Dodge trail, which is still visible. It would be a shame to destroy more of our history so that we could spend our hard earned taxpayer dollars on soccer arenas, golf courses and moving the buffalo.

Leave the buffalo alone.

The buffalo pens and the park in particular are a Hays landmark,and should remain connected in my opinion. It's been a special place for me and family and friends for decades. If it's moved out in the commercial district they will probably want admission.

fescue wrote:

If it's moved out in the commercial district they will probably want admission.

That's a good point, you're probably right.

As far as the golf course is concerned, isn't it already an 18 hole course already? I see no need for expansion there. They have already desecrated historic ground bad enough the way it is when they expanded the course across the old Fort cemetery

why don't they put both soccer stadiums, for it is my understanding that fort hace wants two of them built. to the west of big creek, or crick, or draw, and north of the new robbins center it will be on the edge of campus bordered by 8th street and the bypass. and can the city and or the citizens of hay really afford to pay for these fences to be built.......and on a different note. what happened to all the belly aching that was done about not having the money for the up keep and repairs to the buildings on campus. and the bigot in me doesn't want a bunch of south american, french, or what ever country that loves this "football" bringing their smart bad apples to our comunity, the football program does a good enough job as is recruiting players with the longest rap sheets

LukeTHr wrote:

This is an idea hatched by a typical beaurocrat that has no regard for history or fiscal responsiblity. .

Yep, Fast Eddy strikes again. I really wish he'd move the hell on already.

barbwasinger@ruraltel.net

troy.hickman@hotmail.com

rdcc@swbell.net

cchannell@media-net.net

allanlytton@ruraltel.net

There are the e-mail addresses for those others who wish to contact your leaders. I would encourage ALL of you to be at the next commission meeting and remind them that they work for us, not "Fast Eddy".

See you all next Thursday at city hall.

Why not build the soccer field where Hammonds house is located, then move his ass out to Home Depot

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

Why not build the soccer field where Hammonds house is located, then move his ass out to Home Depot

that plan doesn't sound half bad! Maybe FHSU would end up with more snow days since it wouldn't be so easy for Hottie Hammond to get to work on wintery days!

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

Why not build the soccer field where Hammonds house is located, then move his ass out to Home Depot

I like the logic here.

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

Why not build the soccer field where Hammonds house is located, then move his ass out to Home Depot

excellent idea !!! surely a 4 room 800sq ft house would be sufficient. or better yet, they could pick up a mobile home from that stuff there by the ball fields

Justoo wrote:

barbwasinger@ruraltel.net

troy.hickman@hotmail.com

rdcc@swbell.net

cchannell@media-net.net

allanlytton@ruraltel.net

There are the e-mail addresses for those others who wish to contact your leaders. I would encourage ALL of you to be at the next commission meeting and remind them that they work for us, not "Fast Eddy".

See you all next Thursday at city hall.

J2 this is very nice and all, but Ive pretty much come to the conclusion, that the above individuals are in cahoots with Fast Eddy.

luv2cook wrote:

J2 this is very nice and all, but Ive pretty much come to the conclusion, that the above individuals are in cahoots with Fast Eddy.

So, let's all show up next Thursday and remind them who they DO work for. We can also remind them that we had a considerable effect on the last election. They can do the bidding of the people or they can join Henry IV in the joys of private life.

dz724 wrote:

Does anyone think that being up by HomeDepot would bring more tourism past the Buffalo...
I bet the poor things don't even know they're about to be evicted.

No doubt.

One day gleefully rolling in their wallow, only to be stared at by booger picking kids the next.

Maybe they can move what's left of Boot Hill out there too. I'm sure they could plant a couple more houses on that corner. Then they could call it economic development.

Ah hell..move it all and make it a theme park!


Stephen Ambrose is rolling in his grave.

Justoo wrote:

luv2cook wrote:

J2 this is very nice and all, but Ive pretty much come to the conclusion, that the above individuals are in cahoots with Fast Eddy.

So, let's all show up next Thursday and remind them who they DO work for. We can also remind them that we had a considerable effect on the last election. They can do the bidding of the people or they can join Henry IV in the joys of private life.

I don't even want to know what goes on in HIV's personal life.

HIV wasn't re-elected and even if he was I don't think his personal preferences would be brought to light

Why don't they take out the Kansas State Hog Farm that stinks up the whole town and build there. Then it's a win win situation for all

LukeTHr wrote:

As far as the golf course is concerned, isn't it already an 18 hole course already? I see no need for expansion there. They have already desecrated historic ground bad enough the way it is when they expanded the course across the old Fort cemetery

Yeah, ain't it interesting. If we see an old eagle button on the ground at the fort and pocket it, we can get in trouble. But you can desecrate a cemetary and guys find all kinds of stuff coming to surface on the golf course and nobody cares because keeping golfers happy is more important.

The Bison need to stay where they are. Hammond and the pigs can move. Maybe to a nice scenic piece of ground near Yocemento.

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

Why don't they take out the Kansas State Hog Farm that stinks up the whole town and build there. Then it's a win win situation for all

yeah I noticed there was a bit of an "aroma" this evening in south Hays. Where was JP Michaud to fight for clean healthy resources in this situation...... oh yeah , I forgot, he lives far enough west of town that it doesn't affect him, therefore it is of no importance..... that and the fact that is his employer that is the cause of that foul stench......

zeke wrote:

and the bigot in me doesn't want a bunch of south american, french, or what ever country that loves this "football" bringing their smart bad apples to our comunity, the football program does a good enough job as is recruiting players with the longest rap sheets

FYI, the Hays High girls' soccer team just finished their best season ever with a 14-5 record and a trip to the regional finals against Kapaun-Mt. Carmel. I coached a lot of these girls back when they were in HRC leagues. These local kids would be some of the prime recruits for FHSU soccer. It would keep them in Hays, rather than having them go off to Washburn or Emporia State or Kansas Wesleyan.

Watch the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea next Wednesday at 1:00pm on ESPN2, then tell me that the "Beautiful Game" isn't worth bringing to FHSU.

I don't object to putting in a soccer stadium. Again, my objection is location. Same as the wind project, I feel a better location could, and should, be found.

Isn't there something that could be done to Lewis feild stadium to make it double as a soccer field?

Probably, but that would be cost effective. This is not important when spending our hard earned tax dollars.

Justoo wrote:

Probably, but that would be cost effective. This is not important when spending our hard earned tax dollars.

"hard earned" never comes to mind with big spenders like fast eddie. guys like him think it is a bottomless supply of cash that just magically appears in the budget

LukeTHr wrote:

Blackie Kuhn wrote:

Why don't they take out the Kansas State Hog Farm that stinks up the whole town and build there. Then it's a win win situation for all

yeah I noticed there was a bit of an "aroma" this evening in south Hays. Where was JP Michaud to fight for clean healthy resources in this situation...... oh yeah , I forgot, he lives far enough west of town that it doesn't affect him, therefore it is of no importance..... that and the fact that is his employer that is the cause of that foul stench......

That's worth reposting.

[quote="The Other One"]

zeke wrote:

Watch the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea next Wednesday at 1:00pm on ESPN2, then tell me that the "Beautiful Game" isn't worth bringing to FHSU.

In all honesty, Im not a fan, I think soccer is about the stupidest sport out there myself. However like Ratz, my objection isnt to the sport its where Ed wants to locate his new stadium. As far as Im concerned a university pesident should not have the influence over a town the way this guy seems to.

Let Hammond put the soccer stadium somewhere else because a sports fan is far more than willing to go out of their way to see a game. The bison and the bison sculpture across the road are Hays history. Those Bison and the sculpture need to stay right where they are. Or does he want to move the statue too and wreck it like the fish in a fish?

why don't he just tear down the fort and build a new court house and soccer stadium there