Community center more than just a new space

Since opening last August, the Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center has exceeded expectations.

“It’s fully operational, creating an important milestone for our community,” said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams. He said the center was designed to foster intergenerational connections, bringing together the Hays Senior Center and Bright Minds Academy, a licensed childcare service, in a 14,000-square-foot facility. “It provides a welcoming space that supports early childhood development, healthy aging and community engagement,” Williams said.

The Women Who Lead group, through its “Women Who Feed” program, began serving one evening meal per month at the center to seniors in October 2025. In February, members served meals to a crowd of 150 seniors and Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland.

“This is exactly the type of activity that the Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center gathering space was designed for,” Williams said. He commended Women Who Lead and said Bob and Pat Schmidt would be proud of what is being done with the facility.

Williams also said Bright Minds Academy’s Andrea Felder and Nick Felder were recently honored as the 2026 Kansas Rural Small Business Persons of the Year.

“Community rooms are also available for public rental, offering flexible space for meetings, programs and events that serve residents across Ellis County,” Williams said.

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