The Emporia Recreation Commission’s Recommendation Committee received more clarity on potential renovation options for the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
Representatives of Gould Evans, the architects for the renovation, were on hand to present three potential concepts for the project. Each renovation plan included an update aquatics facility, two gymnasiums, a new commons area and updated racketball courts. Each of the plans would require 65,000 square feet of space and roughly 185-260 parking spots to meet city mandates.
ERC Board Chairman Mike Helbert says making the right choice is going to be a balancing act.
The three presented options were based on the space currently available at the recreation center ranging in price between $19 and $21 million. However, Commissioners were presented with the option of a “new build” essentially giving builders a blank slate at a cost of over $25 million.
John Wilkins of Gould Evans says both options present a particular set of questions.
Either option might require the Recreation Center to close down for different periods of time, although the scope of work has not been determined. The new build would not require any shutdown period because the existing facility would stay open during construction. Helbert says it is not an easy decision as both options contain several pros and cons.
The next step will be to present the new information to the steering committee before further decisions are made. The next event on the schedule for the project will be a full committee meeting between Gould Evans and the Recreation Center Steering Committee on September 17th.
Artist renderings of potential renovation courtesy of Gould Evans
