Sioux Falls takes a dive

City’s first indoor aquatic center to open next fall

BY KAYLA PRASEK

When the Midco Aquatic Center opens in Sioux Falls, S.D., in fall 2016, it will mark the opening of the first public indoor swimming pool in the city. In spring 2014, Sioux Falls residents voted against replacing the old outdoor pool at Spellerberg Park in favor of an indoor pool in the same location that wouldn’t put the city in more debt.

“The city did a survey a few years ago, and the citizens said an indoor aquatic center should be the top priority,” says Sean Ervin, senior architect at Sioux Falls-based TSP Inc. and lead architect for the Midco Aquatic Center project. “It’s unique that a city our size doesn’t already have a public indoor aquatic center, so this project will really fill that need.”

In a 2011 survey, 60 percent of citizens said Sioux Falls needed an indoor pool and 70 percent of voters rejected a petition-led plan to build a new outdoor facility at Spellerberg in 2014. The city is building the entire $20 million project without loans or tax raises, instead relying on private sponsors, surplus sales tax revenue and Capital Improvement Plan funds. Construction on the project, which is being led by Sioux Falls Construction, started in April.

The goal of the city and TSP was to design an aquatic center every citizen could use. Within the 61,000-square-foot facility, there are three bodies of water - a 50-meter competition pool, a zero-depth entry recreation pool and a therapy pool. The competition pool will be used for programming, swim meets, lap swimming and swim team practices. The pool will also have a pair of bulkheads, which can be used to split the pool into two separate areas if necessary, and two three-meter diving boards and two one-meter diving boards. There will be seating for 500 above the pool in a mezzanine level. “Because events such as swim meets or synchronized swimming shows could be held there, spectators will be able to look over the pool and watch everything going on down there,” Ervin says.

The recreation pool will feature zero-depth entry, a lazy river, a slide which will drop into a plunge pool, additional lap swimming lanes and numerous play features, particularly in the zero-depth area. “We tried to put in multiple venues for lap swimming,” Ervin says. “Even if the competition pool is closed to the public, we retain public lap swimming at all times, which is something we’ve seen support for in the past. The extra lanes can also be used as warm up and cool down lanes during swim meets.”

The therapy pool, which will have warmer water than the other two pools, will be available for those who feel ongoing water therapy is helpful for their health, Ervin says. “Most therapy pools are at health care facilities and require a doctor’s prescription for use, so putting a therapy pool in isn’t that typical in an aquatic center. If you need to loosen up your joints a little or have a child who could benefit, then we want you to come use this pool. Its purpose is to promote a healthy lifestyle.”

The aquatic center will also have men’s, women’s and family locker rooms, as well as a multipurpose room available for event rental. The front lobby will have concessions and an office area. As part of the construction, Spellerberg Park itself will also receive a facelift, making it more accessible to users.

Additionally, in June, the city of Sioux Falls announced Midcontinent Communications would be the naming rights title sponsor for the aquatic center. “We’re excited to see this indoor aquatic center finally be built,” says Tom Simmons, senior vice president of public policy at Midcontinent Communications. “Voters had been promised the city wouldn’t see increased debt because of this project, and we’re excited the city can continue to move forward.”

Simmons says Midcontinent strives to be a community-minded organization, which is where projects like the aquatic center fit in. “This project was very attractive to us. It’s in the center of the city and is important to the people. It’s been designed for the people and will be the year-round facility this city needs.” PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer Prairie Business

701-780-1187, kprasek@prairiebizmag.com