The Emporia Recreation Commission’s finances are in great shape despite the recent spike in COVID-19 cases at the start of the year.
That was the report from Rec Director Tom McEvoy during the ERC monthly meeting Monday evening. According to McEvoy’s quarterly financial report, the first two quarters of the fiscal year saw a drastic increase in revenues for the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
McEvoy says last year at this time the rec center had a financial balance of roughly $1.5 million. This year the balance stands right around $2 million indicating an increase of just over $500,000 year-over-year.
McEvoy says the most significant contribution to the increase is a record level of participation in ERC programming over the past several months.
McEvoy tells KVOE News they do have a number of projects upcoming this year that will see much of those funds utilized, however, he says bar any unexpected costs or issues the ERC will remain in strong financial standing through the remainder of the year.
In other business, McEvoy updated commissioners on the recent installation of the Lee Beran Recreation Center’s new natatorium pool heater installed on Feb. 1. McEvoy reports that the heater is running efficiently, however, staff are still “tweaking” the new equipment to get the temperature “just right.”
During the installation of the new heater, McEvoy says it was discovered that some additional updates to the indoor pool’s infrastructure will be needed. He says the pool is continuing to “lose water” on a daily basis an issue that they believe may have to do with the water holding tank.
Current plans are to replace the tank’s valves which McEvoy says has been needed for some time.
Word on when that work may commence is currently pending.
Also Monday, McEvoy presented an update on plans for the 5A state basketball tournament set to be hosted at White Auditorium Mar. 9-12. According to to the update, the tournament will return to a four day format with each day beginning at 2 pm.
Additionally, with this being the 50-year anniversary of the creation of Title IX, KSHSAA has requested that this year’s awards be presented by female representatives.
Separately, the monthly leadership team reports for wellness, aquatics and business were presented and commissioners reviewed the latest update to the rec center’s employee pay plan with additional conversations to take place in the coming months. The Emporia Recreation Commission will next convene on Monday, Mar. 21 at 5:30 pm inside the Lee Beran Recreation Center.
