There are several big decisions ahead as the Emporia Recreation Commission’s Rec Center Steering Committee moves towards a new public rec facility at Champions Landing.
One of those is how to lay out the proposed building and parking lot at Champions Landing. Steering Committee members got five different options as part of a “check-in” meeting Wednesday, including two for a stepped or multi-level building and three for a flat building. Committee Vice Chair Deon Morrow says cost is a concern, but so is space utilization.
Another key question: what to do with the Lee Beran Recreation Center, and committee members got five options to consider.
Officially:
*Option 1 includes demolishing the existing nearly 50,000 square-foot building and converting the entire site, including the current parking lot, into an open field or park space, with netting or fencing possible if the space is used for soccer.
*Option 2 also involves demolishing the existing building and converting the space to an open field or park, but there would also be a playground and small parking lot included.
*Option 3 means maintaining and repairing the existing exterior and parking lot while reconfiguring the existing fitness and social space into youth and community spaces. The racquetball and golf simulator would be untouched, while work on existing locker rooms, the indoor pool, administrative area and upper level would be deferred.
*Option 4 maintains and repairs the existing exterior and parking, but — among other projects — it converts the existing gym into a turf space, turns the fitness and social space into youth and community spaces and it converts the indoor pool into a new family activity center.
*Option 5 demolishes the south half of the building as well as the indoor track, converting the existing gym into turf space. It also creates a new lobby, administration area, restrooms and adds youth and community space. A small parking area on the east side, under-10 soccer field on the south and playground on the north would be added.
Yet another decision revolves around determining the sales tax amount needed to help fund the overall project, quite possibly including the repurposing of Lee Beran. Morrow says the financial plan, including the propsed sales tax rate, will follow guidance from the project’s external partners, BG Consultants and Kahler Slater for architectural matters and Hutton Corporation for construction management items.
Final renderings are expected before Christmas. The plan is to put the sales tax question on a special ballot March 4.
The Steering Committee’s next community engagement workshop is Oct. 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Lee Beran Recreation Center. Residents can give feedback on the design options for plans at Champions Landing.
*Click here for the Rec Commission’s “Imagine the Future” information page.
Graphics courtesy Emporia Recreation Commission
