A proposed $7 million field house that fits between the swim center and the ice rink, provides gym and recreation space for adults and kids, and was envisioned in the original plans for the swim center got a preliminary nod of approval for $3.4 million in 2012 Vision Funds from the city council last week.
Friends of Rapid City Parks opposed the original building in Roosevelt Park in 2002, the ice rink in 2003, and objects to use of 2012 Vision Funds for the third component—the field house. All three projects stand on sacred ground: the memorial greenway designated after the 1972 flood.
The Rapid City Park system is a wonderful ribbon of green running through our city. This legacy created as a result of the tragic 1972 flood has been called the “jewel of Rapid City.” It is a refuge from the noise of the city, a place to picnic, jog, walk our dogs, bike, and for our families to participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities. It would be hard for any of us to think of Rapid City without it.
But this jewel needs to be protected, polished and cherished. In the nearly 40 years since the Flood more than 60 buildings have been erected in the park, the most recent a new gymnasium at the expanded Central High School. If we continue at this pace our wonderful parkland will be nothing but buildings and parking lots.
Friends of Rapid City Parks do not oppose recreational facilities. What we object to is the assumption that because land is in the greenway it comes without a cost. The cost was paid dearly in lives and property in 1972. The community made a commitment to honor that loss with a memorial park, not with shoulder-to-shoulder sports facilities.
We cannot afford to use this narrow green ribbon to stack building after building, pave acre after acre, install one facility after another to accommodate recreational demands.
We need to expand our park system with acquisition of green space and land for recreational facilities away from the center of town. Rapid Creek and the greenway along it cannot continue to bear the brunt of every demand for parking, buildings, tracks, pools, and other amenities related to our amusement.
Contact your city council members to let them know you don’t want another building desecrating sacred ground. The link will take you to the city council page where you can email members.