Conversations are coming to a head when it comes to Emporia’s public recreation center.
For years, the Recreation Commission has been tracking local recreation trends and the space needed to meet the current and future needs. On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Friday, Rec Commission Director Tom McEvoy echoed comments from the past year in saying any facility, new or expanded, would need more than double the space at the Lee Beran Recreation Center. The big question then becomes what the city and its residents can afford.
The Rec Commission has been looking at a possible expansion of the Beran Rec Center. McEvoy says the city outgrew that facility 15 years ago.
The Rec Commission has also considered building a new facility near the Jones Aquatic Center. Potential space inside the former Lowther North building has also been publicized. Regardless of the location, McEvoy sees adjustments ahead to meet the demand for pickleball and indoor soccer.
Details from a recent online survey, which garnered over 700 responses, will get further discussion Monday, both at the Future Funding Task Force meeting and the Rec Commission board’s monthly meeting.
