With the ongoing series of business closures in recent weeks, the Emporia Rec Center Steering Committee will be continuing its pause on the development of a new recreation center for the foreseeable future.
That’s according to Interim Director of Rec Operations Amanda Gutierrez who spoke with KVOE News ahead of the Emporia Recreation Commission’s monthly meeting Tuesday evening where the ERC received the latest update from the steering committee. If you recall, a special vote on a potential half-cent sales tax funding mechanism for a new rec center was planned in March, however, the process was put on hold following the announcement of the closures of both Tyson Foods and Holiday Resort at the start of December.
With several additional businesses closing their doors over the past month, including Thermal Ceramics just last week, Gutierrez says steering committee members are choosing not to move the process forward at this time.
The Steering Committee is next set to convene in March.
In other business, the ERC received an update on the search for a new permanent rec director which went live at both the state and national levels on January 1. According to Gutierrez, the rec center has received close to a dozen applicants thus far with the application window set to close February 9.
Additional updates Tuesday included presentations on technology work, employee tax credits and a grant writer position. ERC members also received a marketing recap for 2024 and looked ahead to the 2025 Kansas State High School Activities Association state basketball tournament at White Auditorium.
The ERC will next convene in February.
