Your week, simplified: June 4, 2025

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: More rain on the way

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This week, you'll get a look at the latest design for the new Frank Olson indoor recreation center and, keeping with the parks theme, you'll also learn about new parks in Brandon. Plus, find more events than any one person could ever attend in a given week, and some Super Simplified Stories.

And now, news:

CITY

Coming in 2029: Get a look at the latest for the new Frank Olson indoor pool, rec center

Simplified: A new indoor pool and recreation center in eastern Sioux Falls is taking shape. Sioux Falls City Council saw an early look at schematic design for the new Frank Olson Recreation Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Why it matters

• The city has been talking for years about the need to replace the pool at Frank Olson Park, and, according to design consultants, it'll be several more years – likely 2029 – before a planned indoor pool and recreation center opens to the public.
• Councilors on Tuesday got their first look at the schematic design for the new facility since approving a $68 million bond to fund it. As of now, the design process is a little over halfway completed, and there's a pretty good sense of the general layout for the pool, indoor playground, walking track and athletic courts.
• A lot of the planning process has been about "right-sizing," i.e. making sure the project will fit within the $47 million budget set by the City Council. As of now, the building plans account for a 75,000-square-foot facility.
• In addition to being budget-conscious, Tuesday's update also included an emphasis on accessibility, integrating into the neighborhood and showcasing local art.

"We want to embrace diversity, showcasing a place where everyone belongs," Recreation Manager Jackie Nelson said.

Tell me more about the facility

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

How Brandon's park system is expanding

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Simplified: As Brandon continues to grow and add more housing, the city is also looking at potential for new and expanded parks – including a wetland bank on the east side of town. Here's what you need to know.

Why it matters

• Brandon has been working for some time on improvements to Aspen Park, including new baseball fields, a hockey arena and a new road to get in and out of the popular park.
• Meanwhile, in the new Aspen Ridge housing development on the southeast side of town, developers are adding Christensen Park, which will ultimately become a public park once it's completed, Brandon Development Director Patrick Andrews said.
• The city is also pitching the idea of creating a wetland bank – a protected natural area that's preserved in order to offset the environmental impacts from construction.

"Basically, the Brandon Development Foundation will invest its resources into creating the wetland bank," Andrews said. "The wetland bank will generate 'credits,' and local development projects will purchase those 'credits' to offset the loss of aquatic resources caused by their projects elsewhere in the watershed."

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• There's still time to sign up for summer camp.* It's not too late to sign up for YMCA Camp Leif Ericson. Camps are available for kids age 4 to 15, and financial aid is available for families who need it. Don't miss your chance to give your kids this safe, meaningful and live-changing camp experience. Learn more and sign up here.
• 📚Council confirms new library director. Sioux Falls City Council unanimously approved Alysia Boysen as the new director of Siouxland Libraries. Boysen has worked with Siouxland Libraries for 20 years, and she'll take the helm June 23 after the retirement of longtime director Jodi Fick.
• Measles is here. The South Dakota Department of Health confirmed its first measles case of the year in a Meade County adult. Learn more here. Want to protect yourself? We chatted with a local doctor about tips for preventing this previously eradicated disease.
• TenTakin' a break. Mayor Paul TenHaken this week shared a reflection of his tenure as mayor, various ways Sioux Falls has changed over the last eight years. He also noted that he's not planning on running for any other public office at this time.
  • "This does not mean I am walking away from politics," TenHaken wrote. "I will certainly stay engaged to help make sure South Dakota elects pragmatic leaders to local and state offices with servant hearts and the best interests of South Dakotans as their priority." Read the full statement here.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: June 4-10

• Take to the streets.* Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. is hosting its next Open Streets event and closing down part of Phillips Avenue as part of First Friday festivities on Friday evening. This month's theme is "Community in Motion," and you can play pickleball, check out yard games, fitness classes, the city parks and recreation mobile unit. Learn more here.
• Play in the past.* The 24th Annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival takes place this weekend at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Enjoy a blast from the past set in Renaissance-era Tudor England with food, vendors and activities for all ages to enjoy. Learn more and get your tickets here.
• Awaken your spiritual curiosity.* A one-of-a-kind holistic health expo is coming to Sioux Falls on Saturday, June 7. The Awaken Your Spiritual Curiosity Expo – presented by Souls of Spirit Expos and The Edge Magazine – is an immersive event with dozens of vendors and keynote speaker Sunny Dawn Johnston, a celebrated psychic and medium. Tickets start at $7, and the first 50 attendees will receive a complimentary gift bag. Learn more and get your tickets here.
• Kick off Pride Month. Get your besties together for an iconic cabaret performance from the Good Night Theatre Collective. There will be singing, dancing, and a live band, and ticket proceeds will support a local organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Snag your tickets here.
• Celebrate 605 day. It's 605 day on Thursday (6/05, get it?), and you can celebrate with a cool collab from 605 Magazine, Fernson and Lost Cabin Beer. (plus you didn't hear it from me but new food concept soft launch???) Details here.
• Heal with art. The inaugural Arts in Healing exhibition opens this week at the Underground at Rehfeld's. You'll see artwork from various organizations that use visual arts to facilitate healing, including Journey of Hope, The Compass Center and more. Stop by the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, or check out the gallery June 5-10. Details here.
• Vibe at The Lot. Dada Gastropub is bringing back its summer art show series Thursday. You can peruse local artists' offerings in the restaurant and bar's parking lot, and artists keep 100% of the proceeds because it's free for them to participate in the event. Learn more here.
• Hang with the homeschoolers. The Sioux Falls Homeschool Expo and Student Business Fair kicks off at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Laurel Ridge Barn. Visitors can find more than 50 booths with resources related to home-schooling, co-ops, education laws, activity ideas and more. Get the details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• Complaining about traffic
• Growing pains
• Cookie

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

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Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

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