Mitchell Sports and Events Authority approves $17,000 in grants for local tournaments and festivals

The Mitchell Sports and Events Authority voted to award six grants totaling $17,000 to local tournaments and community events, approving funding for youth soccer, mountain biking, baseball, arts in the park, women’s softball and the Special Olympics state basketball tournament during a meeting in May (meeting date not specified).

The largest single award was $5,000 to the Palace City Cup, a spring youth soccer tournament organized by the Mitchell Soccer Association. Scott Mollmeister, who identified himself as representing the Mitchell Soccer Association, told the authority, “We are putting on a spring tournament called the Palace City Cup. It is scheduled for June. So we have a grant application for $5,000 to help assist with, tournament expenses.” He said the largest cost is referees and that the figure was based on costs from a recent fall tournament that hosted 41 teams; as of his presentation registration was still open and had about 25 teams.

The authority also awarded $4,000 to cover added costs for hosting the Special Olympics state basketball tournament in 2026 and 2027 ($2,000 per year). Aaron (Mitchell Sports and Events Authority staff) summarized logistics and the authority’s previous support and noted the tournament’s likely hotel demand in March. “The profits to a local association is very minimal in any city. Yeah. It's the city benefiting from the event happening,” Aaron said while discussing how host cities and local associations typically benefit.

For outdoor and youth events, the authority granted $1,500 to the Palace City Mountain Bike Classic to help cover timing equipment, $2,500 to Barney’s Amateur Baseball Classic, and $1,500 to Arts in the Park. Courtney, identifying herself as “Courtney from the bike shop,” described the mountain bike event’s growth and plans to add an e-bike class and a kids’ program; she said it was the fourth year for the race and that organizers hope for about 100 riders. Jason Christiansen presented a new Barney’s Amateur Baseball Classic that reached 12 teams in its first year; Jason said profits from that event will go to Team Makers scholarships. Jordan Hanson said Arts in the Park expects another large turnout after an estimated 10,000 visitors last year and asked for $1,500 as last-year support tapers off.

Authority members moved and approved each award by voice vote; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript. Specific motions and seconders were called from the dais before the chair asked for vocal consent.

The authority’s staff also reported on finances and event performance: year-to-date collections and room nights were up compared with prior years, and the authority has approved funding for 26 events amounting to 50 event days so far this year. The staff highlighted that events funded by the authority are intended to drive hotel room nights and local spending.

Votes at a glance

- Palace City Cup (Mitchell Soccer Association): Awarded $5,000; motion by Tim, second by Kevin; outcome: approved. (Scott Mollmeister presented the request.) - Special Olympics state basketball tournament (2026–27): Awarded $4,000 ($2,000 per year); motion by Dave, second by Dave; outcome: approved. (Aaron presented background and the request.) - Barney’s Amateur Baseball Classic: Awarded $2,500; motion by Dave, second by Dave; outcome: approved. (Jason Christiansen presented the request.) - Palace City Mountain Bike Classic: Awarded $1,500; motion by Brian, second by Jason; outcome: approved. (Courtney presented the request.) - Arts in the Park: Awarded $1,500; motion by (mover not specified in transcript), second by Brian; outcome: approved. (Jordan Hanson presented the request.) - South Dakota women’s state softball tournament: Awarded $2,500; motion by Kevin, second (mover/second as recorded); outcome: approved. (Staff reported outreach and considerations; local association and concession arrangements discussed.)

The authority’s staff recommended awards based on event applications and expected economic impact; the board accepted those recommendations by voice vote and adjourned after setting the next meeting date (June 10, date referenced in the meeting but not confirmed as the meeting date).