We are still far away from a special vote on a potential funding mechanism to support the construction of a new Emporia recreation center. In the meantime, community input will remain a focus for local leadership as the process continues to unfold.
Community input has already played a significant role in the project’s planning stages thanks to two recent community input sessions over the last two months. Deputy City Manager Mark Detter, on KVOE’s monthly Q&A segment Monday, noted he has been impressed with the turnout for the sessions, with well over 100 people in attendance at both.
Detter says turnout for town halls and community engagement sessions can often be a significant indicator for turnout at the polls come March 4. He says in his past positions he has seen low turnout to public events often serve as a precursor to low voter turnout and vice-versa.
As for what the results of the special election next year may look like Detter says he can’t say. However; Detter noted that voters tend to “vote their conscience” and the high level of input and say the community has had in the design phase of the project could be a strong indicator as to where the vote could land.
Detter’s appearance on KVOE’s airwaves comes just a few short days after steering committee members made some important decisions regarding the future center set to be located at Champions Landing. During a meeting last Wednesday, members voted unanimously for a flat building near 18th and Merchant as opposed to a multi-level facility along with a three-lane lap pool that can be reconfigured to six lanes if needed.
