A year ago, the Emporia Recreation Commission was starting community engagement sessions with the goal of building a new public recreation center.
Following Tyson Foods’ decision to end its local operations and eliminate over 800 jobs back in December, the Rec Commission decided to pause that effort — shortly before a planned vote on funding a new facility — and it appears conversations towards a new building are resuming in earnest.
The Rec Commission Steering Committee met Tuesday and discussed several aspects of the project, starting with renewed work to engage the community about the need for a new facility. With the next Steering Committee coming possibly in mid-November, the current plan calls for special public meetings early next year — meaning a possible vote for a funding mechanism may not take place until November 2026.
Committee member Jami Reever and Rec Commission Director Amanda Gutierrez acknowledge things have changed in the community since the Tyson decision, but both say a new facility is still needed as a quality-of-life improvement for Emporia residents. Social media posts on KVOE’s recent story did not favor a new facility, but Reever says many people in the community want a new rec building.
Last month, the Steering Committee decided to keep Champions Landing as the preferred location with Jones Aquatic Center as a secondary option. Reever says all options should be reviewed, opening the door for additional conversations including renovations to Lee Beran Recreation Center and the potential use of the former Lowther North school building.
