A proposed major recreation project was outlined for Manhattan City Commissioner in a work session Tuesday.

The project cost was calculated at approximately $54 million.

Improvements to current recreation facilities in Manhattan would be included in the proposed project. Those improvements include renovation of Anneberg Park on the west side of Manhattan, creation of an indoor recreation facility or fieldhouse at CiCo Park, equipping the city park pool with a retractable cover over the 50-meter competitive area, and a new soccer complex along the US 24 corridor.

Ron Fehr, Manhattan City Manager said that the Commission discussed looking at the project from a regional perspective. “Looking at the number of fields or types of facilities that would be built from a regional perspective and so that we certainly didn’t put the folks in the region in a competitive  disadvantage because we over built.”

Fehr went on to say that they could work together in order to find some commonalities between Manhattan and the region,”What may be a need in one community may be a strength in the other.”

Commissioners and some community members expressed concerns ranging from the price tag to levying another tax. The governing body directed city staff to put together an initial fact finding initiative and bring it to the commission during a retreat in January.

Junction City has looked into doing a similar project but on a smaller scale. A feasibility study was completed on the Junction City project in September and preliminary results came back near the bottom of a low moderate risk category. Florida based Sports Facility Advisory conducted the study. The low moderate risk category means the project can be done but there will be some challenges.

The committee working on the Junction City project has elected to move forward and is working on developing a strong supportive business plan for the project.