SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The new year will bring a new endeavor for the City of Sioux Falls.
The city will take over operations of an indoor recreation center starting January 1st.
Galen Stolp started working out at Sanford Wellness Center at Tea/Ellis Road about a year and a half ago.
He only lives a few blocks away.
“Location was everything to me,” Stolp said.
But the center won’t be a Sanford facility much longer.
Once the city takes over, it will be called the Westside Recreation Center, but that could change.
“We hope to actually be able to have court sponsorships, title naming rights on the building, very much like we’ve done at Midco where the various different spaces are named. Midco obviously has the title naming right sponsorship,” Director of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Don Kearney said.
The goal is to make the transition to a city-owned facility seamless.
“This means the facility will be familiar. The same fitness equipment, pool, locker rooms, and most of the amenities that current members have grown to appreciate won’t be changing,” Sioux Falls Recreation Manager Jackie Nelson said.
However, there will be some changes.
For example, KidZone won’t be offered after the new year.
The program allows parents to drop off their children while they work out.
“Instead parks and rec staff will provide scheduled programming opportunities for kids and family in that space. We envision programs such as pizza and paint nights, stay and play family time, family movie nights, maybe kids crafts or craft zone,” Nelson said.
Right now the center is open Monday through Saturday.
Once the city takes over, people will be able to use the rec center on Sundays too.
Stolp plans to continue working out at the facility once the city takes over.
“I found out that they’re leaving the equipment here, so the gym’s going to stay the same, and with location and everything, it makes sense for my family and me to come over here,” Stolp said.
People can start signing up for passes in early December.
Sanford Health will continue to offer physical therapy at the center once the city takes over.
