Survey reveals lack of tax support for indoor aquatic center

User fees deemed insufficient to cover pool costs

Street maintenance outranks recreation in community priorities

Board member highlights skyrocketing construction costs

Board approves Move MHK amendment in split vote

Riverfront MHK debate centers on funding vs. vision

City Park slated for redesign, skate park addition

Flint Hills Discovery Center to gain sculpture trail

Staff plans 2027 tax renewal to aid Zoo and Discovery Center

Survey reveals lack of tax support for indoor aquatic center

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A statistically valid survey presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shows that 81 percent of Manhattan residents oppose a property tax increase to fund a new indoor aquatic center. Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart presented the findings, which also indicated that 69 percent of respondents oppose a sales tax increase for the project. While there is community desire for the facility, the data suggests residents are unwilling to subsidize the construction and operations through tax hikes, leading staff to recommend pivoting focus toward reinvesting in existing parks rather than pursuing a new aquatic complex at this time.

User fees deemed insufficient to cover pool costs

MANHATTAN, Kan. — City staff presented data showing a significant gap between what residents are willing to pay for pool access and the actual cost of operations. The survey indicated that 90 percent of respondents would pay less than $160 a month for a family pass and less than $8 for a day pass. Staff explained that operating a modern indoor leisure pool at those rates would result in a substantial deficit, as 100 percent cost recovery is generally not feasible for municipal pools without high entry fees comparable to commercial water parks.

Street maintenance outranks recreation in community priorities

MANHATTAN, Kan. — According to survey data released at the meeting, 83 percent of residents ranked street maintenance as their top priority, compared to 10 percent who prioritized indoor aquatics. Staff noted that because most residents drive but fewer swim, the results were not surprising, but they do provide a clear directive for city spending. The parks department intends to align its future funding requests with the expiration of the street maintenance tax in 2026, aiming for a renewal of the Quality of Life sales tax in 2027 to fund park renovations.

Board member highlights skyrocketing construction costs

MANHATTAN, Kan. — During discussions on capital improvements, city staff and board members cited the volatile nature of construction inflation as a major hurdle for future projects. Staff used the example of the Garden Rapids pool project in Garden City, which saw estimated costs rise from $14 million to $26 million in just two years. This inflation has forced the city to reconsider the scale of proposed amenities, noting that waiting longer to build facilities will likely result in significantly higher price tags or reduced scope.

Board approves Move MHK amendment in split vote

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The advisory board voted 5-1 to approve the 2026 Amendment to the "Move MHK" strategic plan, incorporating the indoor aquatic survey results, the Sculpture Trail Plan and the Riverfront MHK vision plan. The dissenting vote came after a motion to remove the Riverfront MHK plan from the amendment failed. A dissenting board member argued that including unfunded "visionary" projects like the riverfront distracts from higher priorities and should require private financial backing before being added to official city plans.

Riverfront MHK debate centers on funding vs. vision

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A debate emerged among board members regarding the inclusion of the Riverfront MHK vision plan in the city's master planning documents. Proponents argued that adopting the vision validates the project and encourages future public-private partnerships, noting that many city projects start as unfunded concepts. Opponents cautioned that without a threshold for private investment or a concrete funding strategy, adding the Riverfront MHK plan dilutes the focus of the "Move MHK" plan and diverts attention from achievable maintenance goals.

City Park slated for redesign, skate park addition

MANHATTAN, Kan. — With the indoor aquatic center effectively paused, city staff outlined a new vision for City Park that removes the previously proposed aquatic facility from the concept. The revised focus will be on centralizing activity within the park, creating festival grounds and adding amenities such as pickleball courts and an in-ground skate park. Staff indicated that these improvements, along with renovations to Northview and Northeast parks, would be the primary targets for funding in the upcoming years.

Flint Hills Discovery Center to gain sculpture trail

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The board approved the inclusion of the Sculpture Trail Plan for the grounds surrounding the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Director Stephen Bridenstine explained that the plan provides a framework for placing public art on the property over the next 10 to 15 years, funded primarily through private donations and grants. The project will begin later this year with the installation of the "Vigilance" bison sculpture by artist Alan Tollakson, which has been fully funded by a private donor.

Staff plans 2027 tax renewal to aid Zoo and Discovery Center

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Looking ahead to the 2027 budget cycle, city staff revealed a strategy to renew the Quality of Life sales tax with specific carve-outs for the Sunset Zoo and the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The proposal involves allocating a portion of the tax revenue—potentially around $250,000 annually over 10 years—to fund master plan projects at both facilities. This approach aims to address capital needs, such as the first-floor update at the discovery center and joint facility improvements, alongside general park renovations.

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