There is a renewed effort to plan for and build a new public recreation center for Emporia. And the plan could look significantly different than the version teed up for voters over a year ago before the overall process was put on hold.
Members of the Emporia Recreation Commission Steering Committee voted unanimously to reduce a potential new sales tax funding mechanism from 0.50 percent to 0.25 percent. Board Chair Deon Morrow says the reduction leads to a more attainable project — which now includes tentative plans for a new recreation facility and significant renovations to Lee Beran Recreation Center.
A site for a new recreation center hasn’t been determined for what is now essentially Phase 2 discussions, but Morrow says Champions Landing, the location originally chosen for a nearly $50 million facility, is no longer being considered. Under consideration for a new rec center site are DeBauge Family Sports Complex and Jones Aquatic Center. Land previously owned by Emporia’s First Christian Church and now owned by the Emporia State University Foundation was discussed Tuesday, but it is considered as landlocked with no room for future growth.
Under what is now being called Option 1, a new recreation center would have several amenities.
A renovated Lee Beran Recreation Center, meanwhile, could have a completely different look once construction is finished.
A 0.25-percent sales tax rate could generate $25 million for improvements and new construction with this overall plan.
Besides reducing the sales tax rate, Morrow says the addition of a renovated Lee Beran reflects input from patrons during Phase 1 community engagement sessions in summer and fall 2024.
Phase 1 work paused almost immediately after Tyson announced an extended but total shutdown of its local operations in December 2024, and the current discussion is launching as Hopkins Manufacturing had an immediate closure earlier this week. Morrow says the committee recognizes the community climate and is framing its upcoming talks with that in mind.
If the project gets to a decision stage, a sales tax question would likely be on the November general election ballot. Well before that, Steering Committee members plan another round of community engagement meetings about potential sites and the overall plan.
More information about the rec center proposal is online at emporiarec.org. The next Steering Committee meeting is March 23.
