A date is now on the calendar for when Emporia City Commissioners will consider the Emporia Recreation Commission’s recommendation for a new or updated facility.
Commissioners will consider the matter during their November 15 action and study meeting according to an update from Assistant Director of Rec Operations Amanda Gutierrez during the ERC’s monthly meeting Monday night. At this time, the ERC is requesting a half-cent to one-cent sales tax increase to be placed on a future election ballot to help fund the creation of a new rec center facility. The location of said future facility has yet to be determined, however, Gutierrez has said the ERC is considering several options at this time.
Regardless of what the ultimate decision is, the ERC has stated its desire to see the current rec facility remain in use in some capacity. If approved, the sales tax would not be allowed to exceed 20 years.
In other business, the board discussed the schedule for the installation of the new GolfZone simulator. Drywall installation has begun with the installation of the simulator itself set to be the next step in the process.
Rec Director Tom McEvoy says there will be a soft opening before the simulator opens to the public with all information to be posted to the rec center’s website. An exact date for when the simulator will be fully installed is currently pending.
Board members also received a brief update on interest rates for investing employee retention tax credit funds. Discussions were also held on the Class 1A Division II state volleyball tournament, specifications for upcoming pickup purchases and the monthly leadership team updates.
The Emporia Recreation Commission will reconvene for its monthly meeting in November.
