SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls city councilors will cast their vote on the 2nd reading for the ordinance for the aquatics and recreation bond at Tuesday nights city council meeting.
The $68 million bond would upgrade Frank Olson and Kuehn Parks and the recently acquired westside recreation center. 5% of that is for flexibility purposes. The ordinance would authorize the city to issue bonds backed and repaid by the City’s existing second penny sales tax.
If passed, the city would use $18 million to construct an outdoor pool at Kuehn Park, $47 million to construct an indoor recreation and aquatics facility at Frank Olson Park, and $3 million to complete Day 2 improvements at Westside Rec Center.
Originally, the plan was to vote on what was then a $77 million bond back in May of 2024, but that vote was postponed three times, first to consider fee structures, and then again to await the results of the 2024 election and the fate of a failed ballot measure that aimed to cut certain taxes in the state. Councilors delayed the vote again back in December, saying the reason for the delay was so they could “determine every option.”
The bond would establish a 20-year repayment and maximum true interest rate of 6%.
The council passed the first reading of the ordinance on Jan. 7 with the second reading scheduled to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
