Key Points:
- $10 million expansion of McAdams Park’s recreation center to begin on June 14.
- Delay in construction was due to waiting for FEMA approval of removing flood zone designation.
- Upgraded center to include gymnasium, culinary arts classes, and increased programming.
The long-awaited ceremonial groundbreaking for the $10 million expansion of the recreation center in McAdams Park is set for Friday, June 14 at 9 a.m.
The new center, renamed the Carl Brewer Recreation Center in honor of Wichita’s first elected African-American mayor, has been in the works since 2022 and officials had initially hoped the renovated center would be opening this summer.
However, the plans hit a snag when it was discovered McAdams Park, at 1329 E. 15th St., was in a designated flood plain. Water plan improvements at the 15th street bridge and the canal, brought the park out of a flood zone, but the plans had to be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Administration
FEMA was required to allow a 120-day comment period for individuals affected by the change to object before the new designation could be final. That process caused a considerable delay in commencement of the project.
The planned upgrade of the recreation center will triple its size.
It will have outdoor patio space, a commercial kitchen that will provide the opportunity to offer culinary arts classes, and a multi-purpose fitness classroom. .
A major feature of the new building will be the gymnasium which will include a walking path around it, a full basketball court, two smaller courts and six pickleball courts. There will be telescoping bleachers on both sides of the main court as well as lockers and shower rooms.
A lounge space at the end of the gym will allow observers space to view the on court activities.
Park and Rec leaders say they hope to host both basketball and volleyball tournaments at the new facility. Overall, the completed center is expected to offer three times the existing programming.
McAdams Park, home to the League 42 non-profit baseball league, is named after the park’s former director Emerson McAdams. In addition to the Brewer Center, the park also has the Goose Doughty Tennis Courts, the McAfee Swimming Center, the Andre Carr basketball courts and the Barry Sanders football field,All are named in honor of local African-American standouts.
Meanwhile, a main artist for the project has already been chosen and there are three finalists in the contest to provide more original art in the interior of the building.
