Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Last weekend of summer perfection

This week, I've got a look at the latest in the ongoing saga of new pools in Sioux Falls. You'll also find a story about a young girl who was denied the opportunity of a lifetime because of her wheelchair – and how the community came together to support her in the aftermath. Plus, don't miss some Super Simplified Stories and a reminder of fun events happening this weekend.

And now, news:

CITY

Why decisions on new pools are delayed – again

Simplified: The city is once again delaying decisions on a proposed $77 million bond for new pools at Frank Olson and Kuehn Park. This time, city officials are citing uncertainty around the November election.

Why it matters

  • This isn't the first time a vote on funding both a new outdoor pool at Kuehn Park and a new indoor aquatic and recreation center at Frank Olson Park has been delayed.
    • Back in May, councilors were expected to vote to pass the bond before four new faces joined the City Council. That vote was delayed to September because councilors couldn't agree on pricing models.
  • City Finance Director Shawn Pritchett on Wednesday said they'll once again delay a council bond decision, citing concerns about economic uncertainty during the November election as well as uncertainty about the potential ramifications if voters pass a measure to eliminate sales tax on groceries.
  • Those economic concerns, though, aren't stopping the city and council from moving forward with other aspects of the city's capital spending plan – including plans to purchase land for a future Riverline District.
"The budget can always be modified next year if we anticipate a significant fluctuation in our anticipated revenues," Finance Director Shawn Pritchett said. "The anticipated debt service for the aquatics and rec bond also continues to be included in (next year's) budget and in the capital program." 

Tell me more about the aquatics bond

COMMUNITY

How a 12-year-old girl's bad day shows the importance of accessibility

Simplified: A 12-year-old Sioux Falls girl wasn't able to sing with the rest of her friends in the Sioux Falls Children's Choir as back-up singers for rock band Foreigner earlier this week. It's all because they couldn't accommodate her wheelchair.

Tell me more

Christa Bauman was getting ready to drive her daughter Halle to rehearsal for what was supposed to be her last-ever performance with the Sioux Falls Children's Choir Wednesday afternoon when she noticed she had a few missed calls.

  • She hopped in the car, started driving and called back on speakerphone. That's when she was told Halle wouldn't be allowed to join her choir and Foreigner on stage because the facility couldn't accommodate her wheelchair.
  • She looked back at her daughter in the back seat. She'd heard everything.
"Her face just crumpled, and she started bawling," Christa said.

How did this happen?

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Dirt moving in Canton. Dakota Specialty Solutions, LLC, broke ground this week on a $4.5 million facility on a four-acre parcel in Canton Industrial Park. The agricultural science and chemical company is expected to bring about 15 new full-time jobs to the city.
  • Planetarium-iversary. The planetarium at the Washington Pavilion is celebrating its one-year anniversary this week. To celebrate, all films will be $1 off the regular ticket price on Saturday, and visitors can also get $1 off a scoop of ice cream at Parlour.
  • Covert leaving downtown. Covert Artisan Ales on Thursday announced it will not renew its least at the East Bank Depot in downtown Sioux Falls. Instead, it'll consolidate to one location – its west-side production facility where it initially operated before the downtown space opened in 2019. The brewery is not closing, co-owner Daniel Berry said. Rather, it's "evolving with the craft beer market in Sioux Falls."

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Stuff to do: Aug. 28-Sept. 3
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Sioux Falls this week.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
How the community is coming together to grieve an abandoned infant
Several community members and organizations have come together to host a funeral for the infant who was found at the Sioux Falls recycling center. They’ve also given the child a name – Gabriel James Doe.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Why hundreds more kids are getting after-school care
The Sioux Falls School District has helped about 1,000 more kids access after-school and summer care in the first year of it’s new community learning center (CLC) program.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.