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Mitchell SEA approves grants for swim meet, robotics, fire-instructor conference, basketball and band
Summary
The Mitchell Sports & Events Authority awarded grants totaling several thousand dollars to local events — including $5,000 for two Dakota Riptide swim meets, $1,500 for a robotics tournament, $4,210 for the state fire-instructors conference, $5,000 for a basketball tournament (no comp rooms), and $1,000 for a middle-school band — and tabled a large festival request.
The Mitchell Sports & Events Authority on Nov. 1 approved multiple event grants aimed at boosting hotel stays and local spending around tournaments and conferences.
The committee voted to award $5,000 to Dakota Riptide to support combined December and January swim meets, citing expectations of roughly 282 swimmers and the local pool serving as the host facility for a 12-and-under state meet in February. The motion to fund the swim meets was moved by LaRue and seconded on the floor; the chair announced the motion passed by voice vote.
The Palace City Robotic Rumble received $1,500. Volunteer coach Ryan Tupper told the committee the robotics tournament typically attracts 20–30 teams, several from out of town, and that organizers were seeking help to offset Corn Palace rental fees for a one-day event in early December. The committee approved the $1,500 award (motion recorded as moved by Tim, seconded by Jocko).
The South Dakota Fire Instructors Conference was approved for $4,210 to cover instructor travel, lodging and venue costs. Justin Adams, representing the Fire Instructors, said the conference usually draws about 125 attendees and that a portion of the request would bring an out-of-state instructor to Mitchell. The motion (moved by Jason, seconded by Emily) passed.
The Dakota Challenge basketball tournament was awarded $5,000 with no comp rooms included. George Erdahl explained the tournament’s expenses (he cited roughly $30,000 in total expenses last year and about $18,500 in gate receipts) and asked the committee to help lower school entry fees; the grant motion passed with one recorded nay.
The South Dakota Middle School All-State Band was granted $1,000. Holly Gage, a Sioux Falls band director and organizer, told the committee the event brings about 200 middle-school musicians and their families to Mitchell for a March concert; the funds will be used for hospitality, snacks and music purchases.
Committee staff reported year-to-date collections through October of $259,020 (134,925 room nights sold) and an available fund balance of $61,350 after award checks totaling $88,650 had been written. Staff told the committee that today’s total grant requests (if approved in full) amounted to $29,706.44.
One larger request — for a North Dakota CountryFest-style music event proposed for the Corn Palace — was discussed but tabled until the committee’s December meeting. Dan Buickerman, listed on the agenda as the local sponsor/promoter, said organizers had said they needed at least 1,500 seats sold to return and Buickerman said his goal was 2,000; the request was tabled for further review.
The committee approved the October meeting minutes and accepted the financial report before moving through the grant votes. Several presenters emphasized the expected hotel-night and restaurant impacts of their events; the committee did not attach additional conditions beyond the fund amounts and, in one case, exclusion of comp rooms.
