Century-old McKennan Park band shell is getting a face-lift

At nearly 100 years old, the band shell at McKennan Park is getting a little love for its next century of life.

“It’s in pretty good condition, but it obviously needs some aesthetics improved,” park district supervisor Josh Johnson said.

“It’s time to renovate.”

The band shell has been somewhat battered over time by the area’s freeze-thaw cycles and damage from water penetration.

This season’s work will include repairs to the exterior as well as patching soffits and new painting. A 2-inch layer of concrete will be laid on the stage, and drainage improvements will be made to improve overall maintenance.

The hidden cove lighting for the stage will be updated with new LED lighting, and the overall look of the lighting will be improved to look less utilitarian and more historically fitting. Landscape uplighting will be added around the building, and some other structural improvements will be made to support the additional weight of the new stage construction.

Construction crews have started getting ready to use a temporary tent “just to create some warmth so they can start getting some of the work done,” Johnson said.

The hope is to be done as early as possible in June to allow for performances at the band shell through the summer and fall.

The band shell was donated by the Cosmopolitan Club in 1926 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It’s the home of the Sioux Falls Municipal Band as well as the site for performances for all ages throughout the warmer months.

McKennan Park overall is “still one of our more popular park locations, park destinations,” Johnson said.

There are no other projects planned there this year, but the future city aquatics plan includes a replacement for the wading pool to bring it up to more modern standards and improvements to the warming house.

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