ERC History & Timeline for New Project

Capital Improvements

The ERC has worked towards making capital improvements to our current facility along with other facilities that we maintain and program.

History of ERC Capital Improvements

New/Renovated Facility History

The Emporia Recreation Commission has been working towards a new/renovated facility since 2011.

The first extensive feasibility study was done in 2011 that included a series of community focus groups. Below is the outcome from that study.

2011 Renovation/Addition to Current ERC Facility

In 2019/2020, the ERC worked with Key Construction to propose a Renovation/Addition to our Current Facility with cost estimates.

2019/2020 Renovation/Addition to Current Facility

In 2021, the ERC asked Key Construction for a cost estimate to build gym space at the current facility and/or other location.

2021 Basketball Gym Renovation

In 2023, the ERC worked with Key Construction to recommend a New Facility/New Location proposal.

2023 New Facility/New Location

70th Anniversary Emporia Recreation Commission LogoCelebrate ERC in 2023

Celebrate ERC was a program started for the 70th Anniversary of the Emporia Recreation Commission. The initiative included a group of community-minded individuals invited to meet with the Emporia Recreation Commission each month to learn more about our mission, our core values and to provide input as we plan for the future. Each month, we presented a core component of the ERC that includes lunch, a tour and a short program. The goal was to showcase our commitment to our community, to inspire this group to advocate for the ERC and to grow our footprint in Emporia and Lyon County. Any and all community members were welcome to attend sessions but we invited approximately 30 community members to attend these monthly meetings.  



Future Funding Committee

In 2023, the Emporia Recreation Commission Board voted to implement a Future Funding Team. The team was defined as:

Name: Emporia Recreation Future Funding Team
Type of Team: Process Action Team
Goal: To provide recommendations regarding future funding for a new or renovated recreation center
Charge of the Team: To evaluate the scope, location and funding for a new or renovated Emporia Recreation Commission facility

Tasks:

  • Research funding options within our community, including bonds and sales tax increase
  • Discuss cost/benefit analysis for current renovation vs. building construction
  • Determine which option for funding, location and building construction best meets the needs of our community
  • Review affordability for patrons of all new facility models

Membership:

The team consisted of seven voting members as chosen by the ERC Director and the Emporia City Manager. This team could appoint other ex officio members as needed.  Members were appointed as follows:

  • Jon Geitz
  • Christian Keisler
  • Scott Briggs
  • Jerry Fair
  • Yahaira Ibarra
  • Jami Reever
  • Deon Morrow

Ex-officio members: Pam Stranathan, Trey Cocking, Mark McAnarney, Tom McEvoy

The Future Funding Team met from May 2023 - July 2023.  On August 21, 2023, the recommendation to the City of Emporia Commission was as follows:
The Future Funding Team realizes that the Emporia Recreation Commission facility is inadequate.  We recommended that the City chose between:

  • A central location, new construction
  • A new build at the NE aquatics location

And, that multiple funding options should be considered.

Click for Minutes from the Future Funding Team Meetings

Emporia Recreation Steering Committee 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  process began after the Future Funding Committee presented recommendations for the future of the Lee Beran Recreation Center in August 2023.  Next steps from the City Commission was to create an MOU and to establish a Steering Committee.

On February 7, 2024, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the ERC, School District and the City of Emporia Commission. The MOU stipulates the purpose of the document and the structure and commitments of the Steering Committee. 

Memorandum of Understanding from February 7, 2024

Amendment to the MOU from March 20, 2024

Here is the detail on the structure of the Steering Committee per the MOU signed by the City of Emporia, the Emporia Recreation Commission and the USD 253 School Board and the representative for each:

Additional non-voting members: Trey Cocking, Mark Detter, Amanda Gutierrez, Kevin Hanlin, Tell Kirk, Jennifer Kraus, Tom McEvoy, Lucas Moody, Randy Wells

Project Timeline

  • March 2024: First Meeting of the Steering Committee

  • April 2024: Committee begins work on RFQ to find, interview and hire and architect and a CMAR.

  • July 2024: BG Consultants, Kahler Slater, Shockey hired as architect/design team and Hutton hired as CMAR

  • August 2024: Survey and Community Pop-up at schools and the Lyon County Fair

  • September 17, 2024: Community Workshop #1: Interactive stations of location pros/cons, program room options and design options.  Included live feedback of likes and dislikes.

  • September 18, 2024: Using feedback from location surveys at Community Workshop #2, theSteering Committee voted on final ERC location - 18th and Merchant, west of the Emporia National Guard Armory (Champions Landing East) 

  • October 15, 2024: Community Workshop #2:  Builds upon feedback provided at Workshop #1 to narrow down designs. 

  • November 2024: Community Pop-up

  • December 11, 2024: Town Hall Meeting to present final designs

  • December 2024 - March 2025: Hutton will work through the Community impact from an economic standpoint and overall community well-being along with a project budget and funding sources, including sales tax.

  • March 4, 2025: Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the project’s funding—a proposed up to 1/2 cent sales tax. The sales tax, if approved, will provide essential funding for the new facility.