Sioux Falls, SD
The city of Sioux Falls prepares to make a splash onto the aquatic scene, but city leaders are just not sure how to do it yet.
To determine the future of swimming in the city, a series of five focus groups started on Thursday.
"It's really going to chart the course for aquatics in the future," Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Director Don Kearney said.
An independent consultant leads the invite-only meetings filled with city leaders, business owners and pool users.
The research group is not focusing on just one type of facility or location, but one topic dominates conversation after conversation.
"I really believe the community needs an indoor aquatic center. It needs to have a regulation sized swimming pool so we can have indoor swim meets," Stephanie Perry said.
"Sioux Falls needs an indoor pool. We definitely need an indoor pool," Judy Lampert said.
Lampert participates in water aerobics. She sees the benefits of a year-round pool, but has concerns.
"I don't particularly agree with one of the sites that have been selected at this point, which is Spellerberg. There are some of us who think it's too small." Lampert said.
Perry's children grew up swimming competitively. She says an indoor facility would make Sioux Falls a swimming destination.
And while these focus groups are the first of four phases leading up to some serious decisions, Perry is happy to be part of the conversation.
"It's good to be a part of something like this to see what everybody's views are. We don't want to [have] tunnel vision," Perry said. "We want to make sure we understand the needs, wants and concerns of people in the community."
The city also invited representatives from Wild Water West and the YMCA to get their thoughts at the focus group.
Organizers don't want to overlap services or compete against for-profit companies.
Mayor Mike Huether already budgeted more than $7 million toward an indoor pool as part of his capital improvement project in the next five years.
News
General
Courts
Web Only
Crime
Outdoors
Events Center
Non-Homepage
Boredom Busters
Pipeline
Positively KELOLAND
Technology
Hunger
Affordable Care Act
Shops
Flooding
Remembering 9/11
Drought
JazzFest
Spring Storm
Honor Flight
Spencer Anniversary
Copper Lounge Collapse
Hidden History
Founder's Day
Eclipse
Holiday
Custer Fire
Pheasant Fest
DoApp
Health News
Business News
Sports
Agriculture
Markets
Livestock
Crops
Politics
HealthBeat
Cancer
Children's Health
Heart Health
Wellness & Nutrition
General
Health Beat
Women's Health
RX Resources
What's Going Around
OTC
Diabetes
Recalls
Dental Health
Men's Health
Politics
South Dakota
Legislature
Budget
Congress
Taxes
General
Local
Campaign
President
US Senate
New Laws
US House
Iowa
Ballot Issues
Local Races
Minnesota
Gubernatorial
Education
Funding
College
Elementary
High School
Pre K
School Supplies
Middle School
Sports
Professional
College
High School
Sports Zone
Headlines
Summit League Tournament
Olympics
Super Bowl
Racing
All Star
Golf
NCAA
Business
Industry
Your Money Matters
Development
Gas & Energy
Legislation
Economy/Stocks
Employment
General
Health Care
Technology
Education Funding
Tourism
Banking/Finance
Housing
Transportation
Insurance
Meetings & Events
Retail & Restaurants
All Industries
On The Move
Shops
Agriculture
Holiday Shopping
Trendigital
Featured Stories
Eye on KELOLAND
Inside KELOLAND
Weather
Snow
Forecast
Records
Rain
Flooding
Drought
WX Corner
General
World News
Investigates
Sponsored
KELOLAND Living
Done
Opening existing...