Sanford and City of Sioux Falls plans to hold a joint press conference today
l3wis Funny, didn’t see this announcement anywhere on the city website, so I guess you have to get any information from the private seller instead of the public buyer. There has also been NO word on what the place will be called, but it seems Sanford may have cut a deal where their name stays on the building, Not Sure, just speculating;
| Wellness Center Updates Wellness Center members,We have several updates to share with you today from both the City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation leadership team and the Sanford Wellness Center leadership team. There is a lot of information here that may be beneficial for you, so we invite you to take a few moments to read through the following. Parks & Recreation Update As you know, Sanford Wellness Center Tea-Ellis is transitioning to new ownership under the City of Sioux Falls. On Jan. 1, 2025, the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department will begin operating the facility. At that time, its new name will be the Westside Recreation Center. We are planning to announce some key operational changes in a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the facility. You are welcome to attend in person or watch live online on the City’s YouTube channel and the City’s Facebook page. We want to share the updates with you here first. Consistent Operations and Smooth Transition The City’s goal on day one is to maintain consistent operations and a smooth transition for users of the facility. Many of the services and amenities current members have come to know and love will still be there when the City takes over. This means the facility will have the same fitness equipment, pool, locker rooms, group exercise classes (land, water, cycling) and other amenities. Operational Changes Effective Jan. 1, 2025, at Westside Recreation Center (formerly Tea-Ellis) • Kid-Zone Operations: Drop-in childcare under KidZone will no longer be available. Parks and Recreation will offer new, structured programs in this space at specified times and dates. Examples could include arts and crafts, movie nights and more. Users will need to register for these programs beforehand and have a pass to the Westside Recreation Center to attend. The cost of the programs is free unless specified otherwise. • Open Seven Days a Week: The facility will be open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Facility hours Monday through Saturday will remain the same. • Towel Service: Under City ownership, the facility will no longer offer towel service. Members will be asked to bring towels when they visit. • New Rates: Starting in January, there will be daily, monthly and yearly pass options with no contract. Current members and the community will be able to sign up for passes starting in early December. Membership Update and Hiring Information • We’re excited to announce that Deena Rogers will be the new Recreation Center Coordinator, and Grayson Lange will be a Recreation Program Specialist. Deena and Grayson are already familiar faces at the facility, as they are current Sanford employees. It’s exciting to have them aboard! • Applications for part-time positions will open Thursday, Oct. 17. We’re looking for individuals to lead, assist and provide oversight with programs, classes, leagues and events. Starting Oct. 17, the job posting can be found at siouxfalls.gov/westside. • In December, current members will be able to sign up for a monthly or annual pass in the City’s new system. A full calendar of classes and events will also be available at that time. Be on the lookout as you plan your fitness and recreation activities for the new year! From now through the end of the year, you will continue to see current Sanford employees as well as City employees from several different departments preparing for this transition. Starting Nov. 12, City representatives will be available in the facility to answer any questions. In the meantime, you can visit siouxfalls.gov/westside for the latest information as this webpage will continue to be updated or email brett.kollars@siouxfalls.gov with questions. Sanford Wellness Center Update Throughout the last several months, the Sanford Wellness Center leadership team has been evaluating current operations across our three locations (Oxbow, Tea-Ellis and the Fieldhouse). While specific programming and group fitness conversations are still in the works, we have established updated days of operation and a new reduced membership fee structure. Effective January 2025 at Sanford Wellness Center: • The Oxbow location will be open seven days a week. Hours are still being finalized. • Note: We will resume Saturday hours on Jan. 11, 2025. • The new member fee structure will be as follows: Individual $49 plus tax per month Couple $59 plus tax per month Family $69 plus tax per month • Sanford Wellness Center members will maintain access to Sanford Fieldhouse as they always have. Additionally, plans to reopen the pool and new locker rooms are still on track for late November. We also look forward to sharing more details about some exciting changes coming to Oxbow in 2025. ________________________________ On behalf of both our teams, thank you for your continued curiosity and support as we work to move this transition forward as smoothly as possible for you, our members and the community. Mike Davidson General Manger Sanford Wellness Center Brett Kollars Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation City of Sioux Falls Brett.Kollars@siouxfalls.gov |
