Gary Free is a Pampa native, after living in Borger for 30+ years, Free moved back after making weekly trips to Pampa.
“I drove back and forth to Pampa for many years to take care of my parents,” Free said. “That’s how the story began of my ending up where I am.”
Free, who grew up in Pampa taking part in all sports activities he could get into as a young kid, knew he wanted to do something to give back to Pampa. After searching for a new home in Pampa, Free was led to his final offer.
“I met with a realtor who showed me houses with land, which is what I requested,” Free said. “I didn’t like much of what she had to show, then she told me there was a for sale by owner home on Lynn. I found it odd that she’d tell me about it.”
The home on Lynn was priced over what would’ve been expected, but there was more in store. The home was owned by a Texas State Trooper who was eager to sell.
“On a drive into Pampa, I felt something telling me to take the turn and go to Lynn,” Free said. “Upon making the turn, I knew for certain the home came with the corner lot attached, which was in the ballpark of what I was looking for. But that wasn’t all, the home came with the three lots, which fit what I really wanted.”
The property for sale contained four lots, one with the home on it. The seller mentioned to Free that he would do everything he could to get him to make an offer.
“I was blown away at what all was up for sale,” Free said. “I knew what vision I had for the space, and the calling I felt from God on what to do with the space.”
The property was purchased in February 2017, with Free’s vision beginning construction in June. The shed that houses the seating and Harvester memorabilia had to gain approval from the city commissioners to be built even with the home.
“I wanted the building to be flush with the house,” Free said. “I wanted it to look like one, have a unified look because this place signifies bringing people together.”
The shop has seating for 32 people but can hold up to 40. The ‘Harvester Connection’ offers a full-scale outdoor kitchen for renters to use and a fire pit with seating that Free supplies the firewood. To occupy the time, the facility has an MLB batting cage, with options for throwing soft pitches, t-ball pitches, and MLB speeds. A six-hole putting green that Free has set up to pose a challenge to players.
“When I built it, I just went with the land,” Free said. “The land made it as challenging as it is.”
A pickleball court is also featured on the property, a new sport that continues to grow in popularity. Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Played on a smaller court with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, it offers an enjoyable and accessible experience for people of all ages and skill levels. Whether playing for recreation or in competitive settings, pickleball is a fun and engaging sport that brings people together, promoting active lifestyles and lasting connections. The court, Free notes is the most popular thing.
“I’ve hosted events for different sports teams and a couple of those being baseball teams,” Free said. “Despite the top-level batting cage, the kids care more about the pickleball. It’s a bit funny.”
The work done on the facility was completed and five weeks ago, Free decided to go open to the public for this venue. From landscaping to all amenities, Free had a hand in all of it.
“I knew what I wanted, what I was being told to create,” Free said. “So from the beginning, I hired crews to do the work, there’d be times I had three or four different crews working here, but I’d be out here helping. They got involved in the vision and dream I had and really helped make it come true.”
When the project was first started and completed, Free had no plans of making this a public space.
“I had no plans of going public, but as things materialized and began to come together out of God’s grace, I knew it should be more,” Free said. “Finally it all came together and it’s what it is. He’s the one that told me to make that turn and come see this place. I needed something to keep me busy, and that’s what he’s given me so I open that to the public now.”
The outdoor kitchen sits under a 30 by 20 carport that houses all the amenities one would need to cook or prepare anything. All the sporting and activities events are on the north ends of the property. The facility rents out at $95 an hour for the whole thing, or you can take parts of it. Free recommends renting the whole thing and allowing yourself access to everything he has to offer.
“This facility is in such a great space, it’s a quiet neighborhood and secluded,” Free said. “I knew from the beginning I didn’t want a fence going around that trapped everything in. I wanted a natural barrier, so I had trees, half-grown trees, and bushes planted to create a natural look and feel. Once it all came together, I couldn’t believe what God had given to me.”
The facility has officially been open for five weeks but has gotten off to a quick start, hosting 15 events thus far. The venue is rentable for any kind of event, from birthday parties to graduation parties or a simple get-together.
“When I started this, I knew it needed a Facebook, but I’d never had Facebook before in my life,” Free said. “So that’s the biggest challenge to me, is navigating social media.”
Harvester Connection got its name from its location. The facility is on Lynn but sits between Randy Matson and Harvester.
“Being between these two streets, one that’s named after a Pampa graduate that has done amazing things and one named after our mascot,” Free said. “It felt right, for the name to be Harvester Connection, with the location and the goal. I want generations of Harvesters to gather here and enjoy time together.”
While it is named Harvester Connection, Free has pieces in the shop that pay homage to our surrounding schools.
“We have some stuff for Miami, Lefors, and White Deer, this place is for everyone,” Free said. “I myself am a Harvester, but it’s all about bringing people together here.”
To book the facility, contact Gary Free, his phone number can be found on the Facebook page Harvester Connection. Their Facebook page is the best place to see photos of the venue and what they have to offer.
