City details programming options for new recreation centers

Indoor play, water fitness and art exploration are among the offerings planned as the city of Sioux Falls moves into offering more indoor recreation programming.

In a matter of weeks, the city will take over operations of the former Sanford Wellness Center at 8701 W. 32nd St., and eventually the plan is to operate a second recreation center on the east side at Frank Olson Park as part of a pool replacement project.

In response to a Sioux Falls City Council request, the Parks & Recreation Department brought forward a programming plan last week.

The city takes over operations at the Sanford Wellness location Jan. 1. For now, it will be named the Westside Recreation Center as the city seeks potential naming rights through donations.

Small changes to the kids zone will start Dec. 30 because “indoor play is a priority of ours,” recreation manager Jackie Nelson said. “But it will take a plan and the right approach to achieve where we’d like to go in the future.”

Look for broader changes once that’s determined but a short-term solution to offer more options for indoor play, she said.

Programming will start Jan. 2 in the pool as well as the gymnasium and multiuse area, focused on aquatics, cultural arts, health and wellness, and youth and adult sports.

“It’s a priority of ours to be accessible for all,” Nelson said, adding that the programming is geared more toward introductory content and not designed for the more serious fitness enthusiasts.

Passes are available now. An annual adult pass for those age 18 to 64 is $394, with lower-cost options for kids, families and seniors with no cancellation fees. Reduced-income passes are available for Sioux Falls residents who actively receive reduced or free school lunches or actively receive Medicaid benefits. Summer aquatic passes will apply to the Westside Recreation Center.

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As the city plans for the future Frank Olson Recreation Center, the mix of uses will be similar, including indoor play and aquatics, gym space and multipurpose space for community gatherings.

At both centers, there will be basic programming included with membership such as open pickleball, basketball and volleyball, aqua fitness, cycling, dance class, story time and classes such as clay modeling and ornament making.

Some programming will bring supplemental costs such as a Lego camp, superhero/fairy tale dance, STEM class with a robot kit, art camp and swim lessons.

“We see a lot of programs, but these programs take people to develop them, and we have a really great recreation team within the city,” Nelson said. “They’re very creative and are coming up with new ideas every day.”

The City Council unanimously approved the proposed programming plan. A vote on the the city’s pool replacement bond, which includes Frank Olson and Kuehn Park pools, has been delayed multiple times and now is scheduled for January.