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Survey shows strong local support for new Pipestone recreation center, splash pad
Summary
A city survey presented July 20 found broad support for a new or expanded indoor recreation center in Pipestone, with top priorities an indoor pool, multiple gyms and a walking track; staff say about 317 residents responded and preliminary planning is focused on the former Central School property.
City recreation staff told the council that the Southwest Regional Development Commission helped the city run a public survey to gauge interest in a new recreation facility and related outdoor amenities. Stephanie summarized the results and said roughly 317 people responded (an earlier comment in the meeting rounded the figure to about 370), and about 85% of respondents said Pipestone needs a new or expanded indoor recreation facility.
Stephanie said the top indoor priorities were an indoor pool, multiple gymnasiums and a walking/jogging track; outdoor amenities most requested were a splash pad and playground space. On the splash pad question, respondents favored the new recreation center location over other park sites; staff noted the city recently purchased the old Central School property that planners have identified as a potential site.
The council and staff emphasized that the project is in early, multi‑year planning stages. Stephanie said engineers and architects have been asked to prepare preliminary cost estimates and renderings and that the recreation board and community partners will continue public engagement as the city moves into budgeting and grant planning.
Why it matters: Council members said an expanded recreation facility could address limited indoor space, strengthen youth programming, and improve year‑round fitness and community-hosting capacity — but they also stressed the scale and cost mean planning, budgeting and community involvement will take years.
What’s next: Staff will continue engineering and budgeting work, brief the recreation board and return to the council during the 2027 budget process for decisions about funding, scope and next steps.
