With City Commission approval this evening, the City Parks and Recreation Department is now taking reservations for some of its facilities.
On the list of rentable space are the City’s soon-to-be open Griffin Park Storm Shelter Community Room, the Pierre Native Arboretum Pavilion and Wedding Arbor, the City Amphitheater located in Steamboat Park, and a number of city-owned sports fields when unoccupied by local user groups.
City Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farnsworth says that this move is being driven by the City’s new Storm Shelter Community Room scheduled to open this Spring.
“Our intent has always been to make the space available for private gatherings when it’s not being used for emergency shelter,” said Farnsworth. “To make that work, we needed to set up a reservation system.”
Farnsworth says that this move lends to formalizing reservation systems for pre-existing facilities like the Amphitheater.
Tonight, the Commission also approved a fee structure to accompany the rental of those spaces.
“We’re not looking at these fees as a revenue source,” said City Commissioner Vona Johnson. Johnson, the Parks and Recreation Commission liaison, says that the fees help cover ongoing maintenance costs.
“The reservation fee will help us keep these facilities in good working order,” said Johnson.
The fee structure includes different rates for out-of-town groups, as well as non-profit organizations. Those interested in reserving space should contact Pierre City Hall at 605.773.7407 or visit cityofpierre.org.
Farnsworth says the City will start taking reservations immediately. For a list of rental facilities, fees, and facilities use agreements, visit cityofpierre.org.