Yankton adopts 2027 rate schedule after Summit Activity Center reports smaller city subsidy, record attendance

The Yankton City Commission on May 12 received a year-end operations report for the Summit Activity Center (SAC) and approved a resolution setting the facility’s proposed rental rate structure for 2027.

Luke Yeomans, Parks Department staff, told commissioners that the city’s general fund covered about half of SAC operating expenses in 2024 and that the year-end transfer from the general fund was $371,716.58. He said 2024 marked the highest annual attendance on record for the facility, a 17.3% increase over 2023.

“The general fund covered approximately 50% of the SAC’s operating expenses. The transfer amount at the end of the day, the final transfer amount that was made was $371,716.58,” Yeomans said. He also said, “Attendance in this facility in 2024 is the highest on record since it’s been built in 1997.”

Why it matters: commissioners have been tracking SAC metrics as part of a task force created after the COVID years to reduce reliance on the general fund and move the facility toward higher cost recovery. Yeomans’ report showed progress on both fronts — revenue rose 8% in 2024 while operating expenses rose 14% — but he emphasized operating costs continue to grow and that the city must balance affordability and service.

Details from the report and commission discussion

- Cost recovery and transfers: Yeomans presented a cost-recovery figure of roughly 51.1% and said the general fund transfer in 2024 was the smallest since the pandemic years. Net operating loss — a narrower measure excluding capital costs — showed a 3.1% increase from 2023 to 2024, while including capital expenses produced a 27% decrease year-to-year. Yeomans attributed much of the pressure to rising everyday operating costs and capital replacements.

- Attendance and programming: City staff reported 2024 attendance was the highest since SAC opened in 1997 and that through April 2025 attendance was about 12.5% higher than the record 2024 pace. Staff cited growth across many programs, including fitness classes (15 land and water classes; attendance up about 12% year-over-year) and expanded indoor pickleball hours and adult leagues.

- Capital and equipment work: Yeomans described recent equipment replacements (including new treadmills and refurbished squat racks), marketing and visual improvements to make the facility feel less institutional, and the conversion of a former Yankton College alumni/museum area into a dedicated fitness studio.

- Joint-use context: Yeomans and other staff reminded commissioners that the SAC is a joint-use facility with the Yankton School District; some space scheduling is constrained by the district’s needs. Staff said some capital and maintenance costs are shared under that agreement.

Commission response and directive

Commissioners and city staff praised the SAC report and the work of the task force, noting attendance growth and the smaller general-fund transfer as positive signals. City Manager Amy Leon and multiple commissioners commended staff for balancing affordability with cost control. No commissioner requested further immediate changes to operations; several urged continued monitoring of cost per visit and revenue per visit.

Rate schedule action

After the presentation, the commission considered Memorandum 25-90 and adopted Resolution No. 25-202, implementing the Summit Activity Center proposed rate structure for 2027 with an effective date of July 1, 2027. The resolution sets rental fees for large-event uses of the SAC (theater, main gym, auxiliary gym, commons and other large-space rentals). The packet and staff comments noted maintenance-staff hourly costs are included in the fee schedule; other specifics of blocking dates and detailed fee tables were published in the commission packet.

Vote: The commission approved the resolution by roll call with all voting members recorded as voting yes.

What the action does and what remains

The adopted resolution publishes rates for 2027 so event planners and community groups have multi-year notice; staff said the two-year advance notice model aims to avoid surprise fee changes to organizers. The resolution does not compel homeowners to replace private service lines when the city replaces mains; that remains an owner decision (separate policy discussed in other public-works items). Staff said they will continue to track expense-per-visit and revenue-per-visit metrics and return to the commission if further operational or capital decisions are needed.

Yeomans and other staff said they will continue monthly promotions, maintain the joint-use coordination with the school district, and pursue targeted capital replacements and marketing to sustain growth and improve cost recovery.

Ending

Commissioners characterized the SAC as an important quality-of-life amenity for Yankton and thanked staff for the progress. With the rate schedule adopted for 2027, the commission signaled it wants continued transparency and regular updates on attendance, operational metrics and any material capital needs that could affect future transfers from the general fund.