Last week, Emporia city commissioners approved an application for Community Development Block Grant funding through the Kansas Department of Commerce as part of a $4.5 million investment and renovation for the DeBauge Family Sports Complex in west Emporia.
At the time, the city had a confirmed $1.5 million commitment from the Emporia Recreation Commission and another confirmed $1.5 million commitment from an unnamed private donor. The donor — Stormont-Vail Health — stepped forward with a news release Tuesday morning. Marketing and Communications Specialist Taylor Bugg says the 10-year donation reinforces Stormont-Vail’s “deep-rooted commitment to the community and a shared vision for a vibrant, healthy future” and also supports the city’s initiative to “unify” both the soccer complex and Jones Aquatic Center nearby. In fact, the combined facilities will take on a new overall name — Stormont-Vail Health Sports Park — while the individual facility names will not change.
In addition, Stormont-Vail says there will be “significant” improvements to both locations over the next decade. Mayor Erren Harter says most of the funds are earmarked for DeBauge, but the Stormont funding does not specify amounts between the two locations. He says it’s nice to have the flexibility if there is a bigger emphasis on the Aquatic Center later.
Conversations have been underway for close to two months. Harter says the city is grateful for the investment, adding, “This support will help make the sports complex a place where families and the community can come together for years to come.”
Harter says work at DeBauge is long overdue.
Rec Commission Director Amanda Gutierrez agrees.
Gutierrez says DeBauge sees traffic across generations — one of the reasons why this will be so important if state funding is approved.
The process for upgrading DeBauge has been publicly discussed for several months. Tentative plans have one grass field upgraded to turf, the construction of a new grass field, parking improvements and the addition of concessions, bathrooms, limited seating and a storage facility. A second turf field might be added, depending on the costs. Gutierrez wants to see some tournaments return to Emporia once construction is done.
Plans for potential upgrades at the Jones Aquatic Center have not been discussed in public to this point.
City commissioners will officially consider the request as part of their action meeting Wednesday. Harter says having Stormont-Vail on board is good news as the city’s application gets considered over the next 4-6 weeks.
Stormont-Vail President and CEO Mark Slyter says the hospital’s support “reflects our dedication to the health and well-being of the Emporia community. We’re proud to invest in a space that fosters connection, activity, and community pride.”
Tuesday’s announcement comes as Stormont-Vail prepares to build a nearly $45 million medical office facility near West 18th and Road G. Construction may begin next spring, with the facility opening to the public in 2028 if the current schedule holds.
