HistoryWe were established in 1953. The Emporia Recreation Center has had only three directors since its existence. Jim Peterson served 8 years, as the first director from 1953 - 1961 next; Lee Beran served 38 years from 1961 - 1999, and the current director Tom McEvoy. In 2000, the building was renamed to the Lee Beran Recreation Center. The building was built in 3 Phases the following is a list of dates the construction was completed. 1977 Phase 1 - Social Hall, Game Room, Maintenance, Restrooms, Director, Bookkeeper, and Main Office. 1983 Phase 2 - Indoor Pool, Locker Rooms. Racquetball Courts, and Aquatic's Office 1993 Phase 3 - Gymnasium and Upstairs Storage 1999 Fitness Room and Walking TrackSpecialtiesWe are a community recreation center that offers youth and adult sports, enrichment programs for every age, and fitness classes. Our facility has an indoor pool with leisure swim, lap swim and aquatic fitness, a full-size gymnasium, racquetball courts, wellness center, walking track, and community room.