SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The city of Sioux Falls has decided to delay any decisions on an aquatics bond vote yet again.
On Monday, the city canceled a meeting that would’ve discussed the aquatics bond during an informational meeting.
Rich Merkouris, Vice Chair of Sioux Falls City Council, said in a call to KELOLAND News, why the informational meeting regarding the aquatics bond was canceled.
“The administration requested to push back the vote at this time, therefore it doesn’t make sense to have the informational meeting if the bond vote is going to be pushed back,” said Merkouris
Merkouris said while the date for the council to vote isn’t determined yet, he believes that the Parks and Recreation board plans on bringing the aquatics bond forward in the second or third week in November
The original plan was for the council to vote on a roughly $77 million bond in May. $9 million of this total was set to purchase the Sanford Tea-Ellis Wellness Center in west Sioux Falls.
“Originally, the pushback from May to September was we wanted to get a chance to look at the fee schedule first before we voted on the bond,” said Merkouris. “We also wanted to understand what the level of support from sponsorships or philanthropy and what impact that would have, as well as letting them get a little further on design and get more specific on what will be taking place.”
The recreation aquatics bond seeks to replace aging pools at Frank Olson Park, Kuehn Park and McKennan Park. With the current plan to turn the Frank Olson into an indoor aquatics center as well as the renovation of the Sanford Tea-Ellis Wellness Center which will be turned into a recreation center.
Merkouris said they are hoping to make a decision as soon as reasonably possible.
“There are still some outstanding questions about the impact of the elections, potential bond rating and revenue impact of the community where people are wondering how to proceed on that front,” said Merkouris.
City officials will be discussing the Aquatics and Recreation bond at the One Sioux Falls meeting on Wednesday.
