Mitchell sports authority reviews summer event funding requests, approves minutes and financial report

The Mitchell Sports and Events Authority on a June meeting heard funding requests from local event organizers and reviewed year-to-date financials and promotional metrics, then approved the previous meeting’s minutes and the current financial report.

Jerry Uprook, representing Mitchell Gun Club, asked the authority to help cover awards for the South Dakota State ATA (trap) tournament, scheduled “July 9 through ’13,” and said the club expects “at least 250 shooters” for the five-day event. Uprook said Mitchell hosts a rotating state tournament that also moves through Sioux Falls and Aberdeen and that the Wednesday designated “gun club day” (Mitchell Gun Club Day) carries local expense responsibility for awards and related costs; the state covers the majority of expenses after that day.

The authority also heard from Eric Heeb of Lakeview Golf Course on bids to host the South Dakota Golf Association (SDGA) adult-junior and junior championships. Heeb said the adult-junior event and junior championship occupy multiple days — practice rounds July 19, followed by competition July 20 and additional junior rounds — and reported 252 participants in the adult-junior last year. He said current sign-ups include about 138 adult-junior and 118 junior entries and that the adult-junior format is expanding to two days because of growth.

Why it matters: the Sports and Events Authority uses event awards and marketing to attract hotel room nights and local spending. Authority staff reported year-to-date collections through May of $91,349, representing about 45,675 room nights and a fund balance after earlier awards of roughly $81,250. The packet also noted awards already granted at a prior meeting (Palace City Cup $5,000; South Dakota women’s state slow-pitch softball $2,500) with checks not yet cut for some recipients.

During the financial review, staff said current expenses written for 2025 total $68,750. Staff also reported that the Sports and Events Authority committee’s available fund balance, after accounting for prior approvals, stood at approximately $73,750. Year-to-date room-night comparisons were up versus prior years: up 1.4% vs. 2024 (about 653 room nights) and higher percentages versus 2023, 2022 and earlier years.

Committee members moved and approved the minutes of the May 20 meeting by voice vote (motion moved by Kevin; seconded by Brian; outcome: approved). The board later moved to approve the financial report by voice vote (mover/second not specified in the transcript; outcome: approved).

Staff also presented an evaluation and financial summary for the 15th annual DWU Futsal Classic indoor tournament (hosted Feb. 21–23). Staff said the Sports and Events Authority awarded $3,500 to that event; organizers provided a profit-and-loss statement showing a net profit of $13,089.15 and reported about 2,000–2,500 spectators and more than 600 players from six states.

The authority’s marketing and bid-platform metrics were reviewed: the destination profile had 61 unique visitors (1,268 views) and facilities had 27 visitors (253 views). Staff reported 29 SCA-awarded event microsites and 1,442 total microsite views; event microsite users clicked through to registration 38 times and ticketing 31 times. Staff said no platform RFPs matched Mitchell since the May meeting, though 181 RFPs had matched overall and the destination passed on 178.

Staff highlighted several upcoming events awarded Sports and Events Authority funding, including an outlaw gauntlet shoot at Mitchell Gun Club, the Palace City Cup at the Pepsi Soccer Complex, the Palace City Mountain Bike Classic at Lake Mitchell trails, and the Blarney’s Amateur Baseball Classic at Cadwell Park Stadium. Staff also said some awarded checks remain to be cut and distributed on scheduled dates.

The meeting ended the open session with a motion to enter executive session (motion by Dave; seconded by Jim; outcome: approved).