Aug. 23, 2010

The Highest and Best Use of the Sioux Falls
Stockyards Property
(Aka, the Ultimate Knobe Plan)


To embrace this concept, you must give up your pre conceived ideas and get rid of your prejudices and all bias about what is impossible to do in Sioux Falls.  Remember forty years ago, the people who wanted to build trails along the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, were considered out of their minds.

We need hockey rinks, soccer fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools. Nothing has been built to meet the continuing and growing demand for year round facilities. There are a few separate proposals being discussed, but none of them come close to meeting the emerging needs, and none of them call for common sites, parking, and buildings. Also, none of them are in the "heart" of the city.

Here is the plan:

Use the stockyards site, and any additional property adjacent to it to build a community recreation center. Probably more than one building.  Ice Hockey, swimming, tennis and soccer will be in the complex. Some of the sports will have both indoor and outdoor fields/courts, i.e. tennis and soccer. (If space is available)

Each sport will have to bring money to the table. Naming rights to the complex, and facilities in the buildings will be an integral part, of both the building and operational costs. Example:

The Smithfield/Morrell Community Center
The Citibank Swimming Pools;
The Maguire Iron Tennis Complex
The Land o' Lakes Hockey Rinks
The Poet Soccer Fields
Use your imagination for other names.

A shared parking agreement with John Morrell will be important.  The facility will include a sports clinic of some type to deal with training, rehab, and other medical needs of people using the facility and the neighborhood.  Rooms for other activities, such as gymnastics and yoga will work, as will a climbing wall.  Management will be provided either by the city parks department, or the Sioux Falls Sports Authority.

This project fits into community plans to further develop the East Bank area. It is within walking distance of the city's pride and joy, Falls Park. It will further enhance the desirability to live and work on the east side of the river.  There should be adequate infrastructure in the area to handle site needs. Water, sewer, drainage, electricity, streets.  Access is easy. City Buses already serve the area. This project will pull us out of our doldrums, ignite community pride, and create a space people will use with enthusiasm and improve our collective health at the same time.

Let's get started!!!!


Rick Knobe
Viewpoint University
KSOO Radio
Sioux Falls, S.D.

605-330-7243(personal line)
605-338-5766(on air number)
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