It’s about time we name an entertainment facility in SF after someone who actually cares about people

1. All I can say is FABULOUS!

2. On a separate note, I just got information last night that the Spellerberg neighborhood has filed for petitions to keep the pool in that neighborhood an ‘outdoor pool’. I guess that mayor spoke at a Masonic luncheon the other day and said it was ‘his decision’ whether an indoor pool goes in at Spellerberg and the streets at the intersection will have to be widened. Think there isn’t much parking at Park Ridge now? Wait until they put in more lanes.

3. I will fight for this to not become on outdoor amusement pool for 10 weeks out of the year and there is a LARGE group that is ready to do the same. I AM part of the Spellerberg neighborhood as well – so I wish this “group” would quit calling themselves by this name as they are not the consensus of all.

   As a side not, I have spoken directly to the VA and have confirmed that at no time did the Parks & Rec contact them about parking. This was a story from I am assuming the “Spellerberg neighborhood” group that started this false information. With something as important as this project, people should do their due dilligence before spewing false information.

4. Speaking of traffic planning, StrongTowns had a great post about how unintuitive ideas — like narrowing streets, turning off traffic signals, and letting pedestrians cross the street anywhere — actually can improve safety and efficiency, and it’s cheaper to boot! It’s gonna take a lot to change the car culture in Sioux Falls, but we’ve got to before we can’t afford it anymore.

   On the State Theatre note — I was really hoping that someone would donate $999,999 just to keep their name off the front of the building. As it stands, I’m thrilled about the donation. Can’t wait to see a movie downtown!

5. Alice15…….

   The purpose of a petition drive is to put an “issue” to a public vote.

   This will allow all citizens to weigh in on the issue, and will be a true reflection of whether or not an indoor pool at Spellerberg Park is what our entire community wants. My understanding is that this is also about saving what little “green space” is left at this city park.

   I was at both public input meetings, and it certainly was NOT the “Spellerberg” group that introduced the idea of additional parking being available at the VA.

   Potential additional parking at the VA was listed on the flyers that Parks and Rec handed out at BOTH public meetings!!

   AND, Director of Parks and Rec, Don Kearney, spoke openly about the VA parking at the first public input meeting!!!

6. cr – just curious – do you live in the Spellerberg neighborhood? I’m predicting the “this is South Da f’ing kota and we don’t swim indoors here.” crowd will squash the whole idea. Just because they can.

7. Alice – either the VA or Don Kearney is lying to you about the parking. Not sure who, but it has nothing to do with the people organizing the petition drive.

   Ruf – Not sure how this will go down. First, they have to get the signatures, which may be difficult over winter and if it does get on the ballot, it may not pass. It all depends what the cost of an indoor pool would be at that location AND if the city allows a private/public partnership?

8. Could it be that Alice is the one that is lying about who said what?

9. Have you seen the debt load carried by the city of Sioux Falls? Frankly we can’t afford a new indoor aquatic complex. Not at Spellerberg… not anywhere.

   I’m all for quality of life projects once we have our debt load under control, but I think we can live without another luxury item right now.

10. More than one city councilor has told me the indoor pool complex that the SF Aquatics Association is pushing for will cost over $20 million.

    It will include an 8 lane/50 meter olympic-size pool with the ability to accommodate collegiate diving, an additional leisure pool, and a spray pad.

    At the first public input meeting, I asked Director of Parks and Rec, Don Kearney, what the funding source would be. His response was that it would be a Quality of Life bond.

    The SF Aquatics Association is being asked to raise “private dollars” for amenities (whatever that means?!).

    The Mayor, Don Kearney, and other city officials will tell you they do not know the cost of an indoor pool at Spellerberg because it has not been designed yet. When, in fact I was told by someone who is leading SF Aquatics that members of both the Association and the swim teams viewed plans for the pool at TSP Architecture months ago!!!

    City officials do NOT want to talk about the price tag, OR the fact that we will be bonding for this project!!!!

11. It seems like in Sioux Falls, anything that the city “big wigs” want never comes in at budget or below. They have a tendency to run over.

12. Joan, they gotta skim so a mayor can become a multimillionaire on 100k per year. Call it Sanford. It’s become synonymous with municipal folly failures.

13. CR – Who cares about dollar amounts? Unless it comes to snow removal or punishing city ordinance violators? Spend, Spend, Spend.

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