Simplified: In an uncommonly divided vote Tuesday night, the Sioux Falls City Council voted 5-3 on two separate but significant parks-related resolutions. One of the primary reasons for the divide was disagreement on the role the city should play in providing space for indoor fitness equipment.
Why it matters
- The first vote Tuesday night was to approve the parks department's five-year master plan, and the second vote approved the schematic design for a new indoor recreation facility at Frank Olson Park. Both passed, but not without significant discussion in the three and a half hour meeting.
- Even the councilors who voted against the proposals noted they didn't disagree with them entirely. There's very much consensus on most of the plans – particularly the philosophy that Sioux Falls needs both a new indoor aquatics facility and more indoor play options – especially since the city's community centers shifted focus.
- Councilors also wanted to see more specific financial models for the parks department's future goals and more community buy-in at all stages of the process. Underlying the discussion Tuesday night was a general sense that the plans presented "missed the mark," as Councilors Jennifer Sigette and Miranda Basye put it.
"But that doesn’t mean we can’t build on this in the future," Sigette added.
Tell me more
One aspect of the five-year master plan is a long-range goal to have as many as five regional indoor recreation centers across the city.
- That means the subsequent discussion about Frank Olson Park could have ripple effects on the types of amenities available across the city in the future.
Megan Raposa
That was part of the reasoning behind Councilor Curt Soehl's "no" votes Tuesday night.
"If this council goes ahead and says we’re going to build this recreation center here, you’re going to have to take this vote again in another year ... you're committing to another $150 million after this," Soehl said, estimating the long-term cost if three more facilities like the $47 million Frank Olson rec center were built.
Another big part of the dissent was concern that the city shouldn't get into the fitness business and try to compete with the private gyms in town.
Megan Raposa
But for Councilor Ryan Spellerberg, selling gym memberships is a key aspect of the funding model for the Frank Olson Park facility – especially with the discovery Tuesday night that indoor play facilities will be free to the public. He said fitness is the main way the city can recover some of the operating costs.
- That struck a nerve for Councilor Rich Merkouris.
"There’s an open admission of competition with the private market, and, man, that just puts the knife in me and spins," Merkouris said. "I struggle mightily with the government entering into competition with the private market."
So, how did everyone vote?
The vote split was the same on both proposals.
- In favor were Councilors Sigette, Merkouris, Spellerberg, David Barranco and Sarah Cole.
- Opposed were Councilors Soehl, Basye and Richard Thomason.
What happens next?
With the council's approval of the schematic design for the indoor rec center at Frank Olson, the city now has the authority to bond for the funds needed to finalize design and move forward with construction.
As for the five-year plan, the council asked the parks department for more specific financials and more specifics overall.
"Lastly, for people who think we come here with our minds made up – I absolutely came to this meeting not knowing how I was going to vote," Sigette said. "If you think public input doesn't make a difference, I’m going to tell you right now it makes a huge difference."
