City Provides Update for Westside Recreation Center Operations

Published on October 17, 2024

Today, city leaders shared the operational plans for the Sanford Wellness Center at Tea-Ellis Road under the ownership of the City of Sioux Falls. On January 1, 2025, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation will begin operating the facility. At that time, its new name will be the Westside Recreation Center.

Sioux Falls has less indoor recreation space than the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recommends, which is 1.5 square feet per person. This purchase helps to close that gap. The 70,000-square-foot facility will allow for indoor recreation in Sioux Falls, including aquatics, court sports, walking/running track, recreation programs, classes, and community spaces for all ages.

“Our goal on day one is to maintain consistent operations,” Recreation Manager Jackie Nelson said. “This means the facility will remain familiar to current users with the same fitness equipment, pool, locker rooms, and similar group fitness classes that current members know. While many things will stay the same to start, we’ll be adding more programming for our community of all ages in 2025.”

Under City ownership, drop-in child watch, which is known currently as KidZone, will no longer be offered in 2025. Instead, Parks and Recreation staff will provide scheduled programming and special events for kids and families in this space. 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.

Another change is that towel service will no longer be offered.

At the beginning of the new year, the facility will be open seven days a week by adding Sunday hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday hours of operation will remain unchanged.

The City Council approved a new, tiered pricing structure for the Westside Recreation Center that will take effect on January 1, 2025. It offers daily, monthly, and yearly pass options with the goal of making this facility accessible to the entire community. Discounted rates are available for children, adults, seniors, veterans, families, and qualifying individuals.

Residents can sign up for Westside Recreation Center passes starting in early December. Existing Sanford members are encouraged to stop by the facility to learn more about operations under new ownership. Beginning November 12, City representatives will be available in the facility to answer any questions for current and new members.

Sanford Health will retain a leased space for its physical therapy services within the facility even when the City takes over the facility on January 1, 2025.

“We’d like to thank our members for their patience during this process. It has been our pleasure helping members on the west side of Sioux Falls achieve their health and wellness goals for more than a decade, and we’re happy to see the City continue that mission,” said Steve Young, president of Sanford Sports. “Sanford Health would like to thank the City of Sioux Falls for its partnership in making this a smooth transition for members and staff.”

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation has hired five full-time staff members for the Westside Recreation Center, some of whom are transitioning from Sanford. Starting October 17, applications will open for part-time instructors to lead programs, classes, and events, and part-time maintenance personnel. The City aims to keep many of the same programs and services the facility currently offers but will release a full class and event calendar in December.

“Residents have wanted more publicly accessible indoor recreation space for years,” Director of Parks and Recreation Don Kearney said. “The Westside Recreation Center will be the city’s first indoor recreation center with many amenities the community has stated is missing in our community. This recreation center is a great addition to our park system. We look forward to opening its doors to more people soon.”

 For more information on programs and all other inquiries, please visit siouxfalls.gov/westside.