Hailey
The city of Emporia is once again discussing the idea of a new public recreation center, a facility that residents have long been waiting for.
On Tuesday, the Recreation Commission Steering Committee will meet to continue the important talks about where and how this new center might be built. These talks were paused earlier but are now gaining attention again.
Why the City Needs a New Recreation Center
For many years, Rec Commission officials have believed that the current Lee Beran Recreation Center is too small and cannot handle the number of people who use it. It lacks modern equipment, has limited space, and is not meeting the needs of the growing community.
Originally, there were plans to ask the public to vote on funding for a new center. But those plans were stopped when Tyson Foods announced in December that it would close all of its operations in Emporia. This caused financial concerns and made city leaders rethink the timing of the project.
Where Might the New Center Be Built?
In their last meeting, the Steering Committee discussed several possible locations for the new recreation center:
- Champions Landing (main option)
- Jones Aquatic Center
- Lee Beran Rec Center (if renovated)
At that time, Champions Landing was chosen as the top choice, but committee members said they did not want to remove the Jones Aquatic Center location from the list just yet. They are also open to the idea of making major renovations to the Lee Beran Center.
Upcoming Meeting Details
The next Steering Committee meeting will happen on:
- Date: Tuesday
- Time: 3:30 PM
- Location: White Auditorium, City Conference Room 1AB
During this meeting, members will likely talk more about:
- Construction costs
- Community needs
- Location pros and cons
- Timeline and next steps
- The possibility of restarting public voting on the funding
What’s at Stake for the Community?
If a new rec center is built, it could bring many benefits to the city of Emporia, such as:
- More space for exercise, sports, and community events
- New jobs and opportunities for local businesses
- Better programs for youth, adults, and seniors
- Improved health and wellness
This project could help Emporia grow, especially after the economic hit caused by the Tyson Foods closure. It would also give families and youth more ways to stay active and healthy in a safe and modern environment.
What Happens Next?
Tuesday’s meeting is just the next step. After that, the Steering Committee may suggest one of the locations and request public feedback. If everything goes well, city officials could move forward with design plans, budgets, and possibly another public vote to secure funding.
Residents who care about recreation opportunities, youth programs, and the future of Emporia should stay informed and involved as the process moves ahead.
The future of Emporia’s public recreation center is once again being discussed seriously. While there are still big decisions to make — like where to build it and how to fund it — the Rec Commission Steering Committee is taking steps to keep the project alive.
With community support and careful planning, Emporia could soon see the beginning of a modern, well-equipped center that benefits everyone. people and the planet.