Special Olympics plans basketball tournament for March 2026 and 2027 in Rapid City

The May 20, 2025, meeting of the Mitchell Sports & Events Authority in Mitchell, South Dakota, focused on several key agenda items, including funding requests for upcoming events and financial updates.

The meeting began with a discussion about providing additional information to support Emily and her group in their future planning efforts. This was followed by a proposal regarding the Special Olympics basketball tournament. The authority discussed the relocation of the Statefall Classic to Rapid City due to the availability of bocce courts. The Special Olympics requested an additional $4,000 over two years to cover expenses related to hosting the state basketball tournament in March, a time when local hotels are fully booked. The authority expressed positive feedback regarding this year's tournament and indicated a willingness to support the request.

Next, the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting was addressed. A motion to approve was made and seconded, passing unanimously.

The financial report was then presented, highlighting significant collections for the year. As of May 2025, the authority reported award checks totaling $63,250, leaving an available fund balance of $86,750. Collections for February amounted to $16,173.50, while March collections reached $19,182, bringing the year-to-date total to $70,845. This total corresponds to 35,423 room nights, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Overall, the meeting underscored the authority's commitment to supporting local events and managing financial resources effectively, with plans for future funding requests and continued growth in room night collections.