HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A steering committee has formed to support the revitalization of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and a Hutchinson ordinance to allow a 0.35 percent increase in the city sales tax to fund the Sports Arena improvements.
The steering committee is in the preliminary planning phase, pending final approval by the Hutchinson City Council of the proposed ordinance, which then would be put to voters in an election on April 7.
“HutchWins” is the name of the campaign for the Sports Arena improvement effort. The committee will expand to include subcommittees of additional volunteers as the campaign strategy is finalized.
The steering committee includes Michele Abernathy, Jon Daveline, Steve Drach, Marla Eriksen, Bob Fee, Richard Gray, Dan Naccarato, Darrell Pankratz, Cindy Proett, Russell Reinert, Jerry Ricksecker and Ron Sellers. Elected officials serving on the committee are serving as citizens and not as representatives of his or her respective board.
Objectives of the committee include fostering two-way communication and community engagement surrounding the future of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and to provide Hutchinson residents facts regarding the scenarios which may result from yes votes and from no votes.
In a news release Thursday, they say they welcome private donations to support these efforts.
Plans for the campaign include community forums and other opportunities for community dialog in an effort to reach as many Hutchinson residents as possible. Those efforts will begin in mid-February. Until then, anyone seeking clarification about the purpose of the steering committee or its mission is encouraged to call Ron Sellers at 620-728-9131 or Bob Fee at 620-662-2381.