For one project involving the Emporia Recreation Commission, it’s hurry up and wait. For another, it’s full steam ahead — literally.
Before the Rec Commission board meeting Monday, city officials sent off a Community Development Block Grant request to the Kansas Department of Commerce. If that is approved, possibly over the next month, the decision unlocks $1.5 million in state funds while also releasing $1.5 million from the Rec Commission and another $1.5 million from Stormont Vail Health for major improvements to the DeBauge Family Sports Complex, including at least one new turf field, a new grass field, improved parking, new concessions and new seating. Rec Commission Director Amanda Gutierrez says partnerships have moved the project to this point.
While the city, Rec Commission and Stormont Vail wait for the state’s decision on grant funds, the Rec Commission took action to replace the pipe for the Lee Beran Rec Center’s indoor pool — approving a $46,000 bid from Plumbing by Spellman.
Gutierrez says the cast iron pipe feeding the pool is almost as old as the pool itself, and the policy of keeping the pool temperature at therapeutic levels means increased humidity and, thus, increased corrosion for pipes and equipment. Work may start in November.
Board members also voted unanimously to enact a new credit and debit card processing fee at 3.5 percent of overall transactions. Gutierrez says “convenience comes at a cost.” and the Rec Commission absorbed around $58,000 in costs with no offsetting fee in place. The new fee will not affect cash or check payments.
And the Rec Commission got an update on the first month of RecXtra operations after the commission resumed operations of the USD 253 Emporia after-school activity program following the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas decision to end its partnership with the district after three years instead of 10. Gutierrez says over 240 students signed up for the program over the last month, and she’s pleased with that number. She also says the monthly revenue of over $12,000 was short of expenses by less than $3,000, but pushing all costs to parents would make the program “almost unaffordable” and the current revenue trend will take some pressure off the district’s $125,000 annual budget for RecXtra.
