Now that three finalist sites are before Emporians, the process towards a new public recreation facility could take several steps forward before this week is out.
The Emporia Recreation Commission’s Rec Center Steering Committee is encouraging residents to attend a community engagement meeting from 5-7:30 pm Tuesday at the Lee Beran Recreation Center. Kahler Slater Design Principal Adam Bastjian says patrons can learn more about basic project information, potential site locations, a chance to move different amenities around and a chance to look at other rec facilities from around the country.
At a special meeting earlier this month, the Steering Committee said there was enough interest in amenities leading to a 140,000 square-foot building. The Steering Committee is moving forward with nearly 100,000 square feet, which is still more than double the square footage in the Beran Rec Center. Bastjan says there are several reasons for that approach.
Having said that, Bastjan wants to have space to expand, regardless of the site.
The goal is to have a sales tax funding mechanism up for a special public vote March 4. Emporia city commissioners are also in the early stages of researching a Public Building Commission with the authority of issuing bonds to help fund the project.
Conversations will likely revolve around the three finalist locations, Champions Landing, Jones Aquatic Center and Jones Park, but there will also be conversation about the Lowther North building, which did not advance to the finalist stage due to what could well be $3 million to $5 million in acquisition and possible demolition costs.
The community engagement meeting is sandwiched between two meetings for the Steering Committee, a lengthy one between 8 am to 3 pm Tuesday and a shorter meeting from 8-10 am Wednesday. Tuesday’s meeting includes a demographic analysis, budget update, design discussion and image survey. Wednesday is dedicated to reviewing the community engagement results with a goal of finalizing the site.
8:45 am Sunday:
Reports and updates are the main orders of business for the Emporia Recreation Commission Board on Monday.
Board members could approve the 2023-2024 audit before fielding an update from the Rec Center Steering Committee and co-chairs Erren Harter and Aaron Trelc. Leadership team updates are planned, along with an update on employee tax credits.
Board members could also approve a supervisor for its new 50-Plus program.
The meeting starts at 5:30 pm at the Lee Beran rec Center. Before the meeting, Steering Committee members will join KVOE’s Newsmaker segment at 7:20 am to discuss the Steering Committee’s community engagement meeting on a new rec center layout and location. The meeting is from 5-7:30 pm Tuesday at the Rec Center.
