Sioux Falls council sets second reading for $1 million Kirby gift to Frank Olson Recreation Center

Parks and Recreation staff told the Sioux Falls City Council on Feb. 2 that Jennifer and Joe Kirby have offered a $1,000,000 conditional gift to support construction of the Frank Olson Recreation Center and that the aquatic space would be named the Kirby Pool for 20 years.

Brett Collars, Parks and Recreation, said the gift is coordinated with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and that signage details will be negotiated with donors. Collars said the gift "will help us" by providing flexibility for alternates depending on bid outcomes but that the administration intends to manage construction to the $47,000,000 bond cap plus or minus 5 percent.

Councilors pressed staff on whether the donation would be added to the $47 million construction cap or counted separately. Council Member Sale said he was concerned that language in the bond documents and related contracts could allow construction costs to rise and said he would oppose additional money for the facility unless the administration clarifies limits. Collars deferred detailed finance interpretation to the finance department and Director Pritchett but repeated that the goal is to manage to the $47,000,000 cap.

Councilors also asked whether sponsorship or naming revenue would be treated like other naming agreements such as the Midco Aquatic Center; staff said sponsorship dollars typically offset operational expenses but that this particular gift is intended to support construction and arrives earlier in the project timeline.

Councilor Bassey moved to set a date for second reading on Feb. 10; the motion passed on roll call 6 to 0. Collars told the council staff will coordinate with finance and return with clear language for second reading.

The council set Feb. 10 for the ordinance's next reading; no final acceptance of the gift or amendment to bond documents occurred at this meeting.