The city of Sioux Falls has garnted its Department of Parks and Recreation over $77 million for multiple indoor and outdoor projects.
The city is paying for the grant through a bond, allowing the Parks and Recreation Department to build projects with lent money so all projects can be constructed quickly.
Don Kearney is the Director of Parks and Recreation. He outlined one of the larger projects at Frank Olsen Park.
“What we’re proposing as a part of this project is to build a new indoor rec center with a significant aquatics component to it. It would have a couple of gymnasiums, we would get the parking off the streets. If you have ever had your child in softball in the area, you know it's on street parking only," said Kearney. "The neighbors are really excited to potentially get that off the street. But then it would also be multipurpose. We don’t call this a fitness center, we call it a rec center because there is something for everyone.”
Projects include enhancements to Falls Park, development of Jacobson Plaza, Family Park, and more. Kearney said the department’s goal is to provide year-round recreation opportunities.
One of the ways the department plans on delivering on these goals is by providing multiple indoor and outdoor aquatic opportunities.
Kearney said recreation development is driven by the community.
“Organically over the years, there’s been what I would say kind of a million dollars that came to the city. Whether it be a gift of land, a donation in cash, an estate gift. Organically we end up getting a million dollars a year without actually going out and seeking it out,” said Kearney.
He said the projects should be complete within two years.
