This is a time of change for the Emporia Recreation Commission, and two different tracks of change will be discussed at the commission’s monthly board meeting Monday.
The most well-publicized change, the move towards a new public rec facility at Champions Landing, will be discussed from another angle as board members discuss a facility needs study. Besides the move towards Champions Landing, the Rec Commission’s Steering Committee is also working to repurpose the existing space at Lee Beran Recreation Center, voting last week to demolish part of the building, turfing much of the remaining space and adding a playground and second play area. It is also working to make changes at DeBauge Soccer Complex, with new lighting likely and either a reseeded or turfed playing surface.
Separately, the agenda calls for approval of a separation agreement between the Rec Commission and longtime director Tom McEvoy, as well as a process and timeline for finding McEvoy’s replacement.
In other business, board members will discuss whether to develop a recreation advisory board and will continue conversations about employee tax credits. They will also discuss the 2024 Jones Aquatic Center report for a city of Emporia reimbursement of a management fee, along with getting an update on the 2026 Kansas State High School Activities Association state basketball tournament format.
The meeting begins at 5:30 pm Monday at the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
