Rapid City Municipal Government

08/18/2026

**REMINDER**

PARENTS CAN CHECK OUT ‘YOUTH RIDE FREE’ PROGRAM WITH FREE ORIENTATION RIDES THROUGH AUGUST 28

RAPID CITY, SD—As a reminder, Rapid Transit System (RTS) is offering free orientation rides through August 28 for parents wishing to learn more about RTS’ ‘Youth Ride Free’ program. Parents can learn more about the program and are invited to take the free orientation ride when accompanied by their school-aged child.

RTS officials indicate parents can use the orientation ride to become familiar with routes and schedules and address any questions about the program.

“For the past several years, we have offered parent orientation rides as a great opportunity for the parent and child to ride together and learn our transit schedules, routes, and boarding locations,” said RTS Manager Megan Gould. “The ‘Youth Ride Free’ service provides parents with peace of mind knowing there is a reliable and safe option for getting their child to school.”

“It’s also a great option when that school car isn’t working or we have cold, inclement weather with icy roads.”

Rapid Transit System has offered the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program since the start of the 2016 school year. Nearly 700,000 youth passenger trips have been recorded since the program started at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year. The passenger numbers include more than 650,000 youth passenger trips recorded during the school months of the past 10 years.

Registration is required for the free transportation program, whether public transit is used occasionally or on a regular basis. Parents and guardians can contact Rapid Transit Service at 605-394-6631 to register or go online to https://www.rapidtransitsystem.org/ and click on the ‘Youth Ride Free’ button. Information requested includes student’s name, school, parent or guardian’s name, and a phone number for emergency contact purposes.

RapidRide will also have maps, material and regular ride schedules available as well as material published online under the ‘Youth Ride Free’ tab at https://www.rapidtransitsystem.org/.

Rapid Transit System has offered the ‘Youth Ride Free’ program since the start of the 2016 school year.

Rapid Transit System provides residents and visitors with safe & reliable public transportation in Rapid City, SD.

08/18/2026

SWIM CENTER’S INDOOR FACILITY CLOSING AUGUST 23-LABOR DAY
**Facility closing for annual maintenance;
**50-meter outdoor pool & FitLot facilities will remain open

RAPID CITY, SD—Effective this Sunday (August 23), the Roosevelt Park Swim Center’s indoor facility will be closed for annual maintenance.
The indoor facility will be closed to the public at the end of the business day this Saturday and the closure continues through the Labor Day holiday. The facility is scheduled to reopen Tuesday, September 8 at 5:30 a.m.. The closure includes the Swim Center’s indoor pools, rooms and use areas. There will be no scheduled exercise classes during the closure period.
“Each year, the indoor portion of the Swim Center is closed the second half of August for two weeks leading up through Labor Day for our annual maintenance,” said City Recreation Specialist Teaghan Slagle. “The closure allows for a good cleaning of the facility, along with maintenance touch-ups. It allows us to get the facility ready for busy fall and winter seasons.”
The Roosevelt Swim Center’s 50-meter outdoor pool will remain open for public use during the facility’s indoor closure. Patrons are advised they must still check in inside the Swim Center then enter the pool through the outside gate.
The outdoor FITLOT exercise area between the Swim Center and Ice Arena will also be open for public access with classes continuing as scheduled.

08/18/2026

LANE CLOSURE/
WEST MAIN STREET

Effective Monday, August 24, Iron Horse Excavating, Inc. will be replacing concrete from an abandoned water service.

Traffic Impact:
• The far right west bound lane of West Main Street will be closed. Traffic will be diverted to the left lane.
• There will be shoulder work on the east side of Vale Street. Drivers are advised to use caution and be aware of workers in this area.

See the map below for the affected area.

Estimated Completion Date: Monday, September 7.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley with Iron Horse Excavating, Inc @ 605-355-0045.

08/18/2026

**REMINDER**

FINAL DAYS TO SWIM AT HORACE MANN & PARKVIEW POOLS AS CITY ADJUSTS HOURS AT SIOUX PARK POOL
Roosevelt Park’s 50-meter pool open until Sept. 26

RAPID CITY, SD— Thursday is the last day to swim for the summer season at Rapid City’s Horace Mann and Parkview pools.
With school starting soon and many seasonal staff leaving for high school and college commitments, the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department is closing two pools this week for the summer season and also adjusting hours at the Jimmy Hilton Sioux Park pool.
The final day for swimming at the Sioux Park pool will be Sunday, September 6. With the start of school, the Sioux Park pool will operate with adjusted hours beginning Friday through September 6. Pool hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during this period and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
The 50-meter outdoor pool at the Roosevelt Swim Center will remain open through much of September with the final day of swimming scheduled for September 26.
The 11th annual Wags and Waves event hosted by the Humane Society of the Black Hills is slated for Labor Day Monday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Sioux Park pool. The water will be drained from the pool after the event.

(City file photos: Parkview and Horace Mann pools)

08/18/2026

LANE CLOSURE/
WEST MINNESOTA STREET

Effective Tuesday, August 18, Dream Construction will be making repairs to the asphalt, concrete curb, and ADA ramps on West Minnesota Street. West Minnesota Street will have one lane of traffic closed and work will be completed near the side of the road.

Traffic Impact:
• West Minnesota Street will have one lane closed.

See the map below for the affected area.

Estimated Completion Date: Friday, August 28.

If you have any questions, please contact Nate Wilson with Dream Construction at 605-348-490-0538

08/18/2026

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH SANFORD HEALTH ON SPORTS COMPLEX


RAPID CITY, SD—The Rapid City Common Council Monday night approved the sports complex naming recognition agreement between the City of Rapid City and Sanford Health.
The Council approved the measure with nine members voting in favor and one member abstaining.
“Rapid City is grateful to partner with Sanford Health,” Mayor Salamun said moments prior to the Council’s vote. “It has been months and months in the making. With the sports complex, we are seeing a lot of things lining up. So many great partners across the board. To see the teamwork on this, to see this vision come to life. We are all very proud of it and it is all about the next generation.”
The partnership includes a $10 million donation by Sanford Health beginning in 2027 and continuing for 20 years, consisting of an initial $2 million in 2027. The investment will support the new sports complex facility and operations, and provides Sanford with naming rights for the sports complex and a dedicated space within the complex for use by Sanford for sports medicine and sports performance activities, among other recognition rights and privileges.
Kyle Wiese, Sanford Black Hills President and CEO, also addressed the Council before the vote.
“We know folks in this community have stood up for our youth and for sports for a long time,” said Wiese. “Sanford Health is so glad we can now stand beside the city on this wonderful project to bring this to fruition. This is an exciting time.”
The naming rights agreement is the latest in a number of iconic sports, community and regional facilities with the Sanford brand. Sanford has been involved in athletic development for more than 25 years. These efforts include operating the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls and partnering on the 400,000-square foot Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex in Fargo, ND.
Sanford Sports operates sports performance, sports academy and sports events in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Annually, Sanford Sports has more than one million athlete contacts, runs more than 250 club teams and hosts nearly 100 tournaments and spectator events ranging from youth and high school to major college and professional.
Last month, the Rapid City Council approved an agreement between Pete Lien & Sons and the City of Rapid City for the donation of 22.65 acres of land located between East Mall Drive, Seger Drive, North Lacrosse Street and Tish Boulevard. At the July 20 meeting, the Council also approved a contract with TSP, Inc. to serve as architect for the project and an agreement with Sports Facilities Management LLC to serve as manager for the facility once it is constructed.
The next step in the process will be consideration of a construction manager at risk (CMAR) agreement for the facility, scheduled in the coming weeks.
Officials are hoping to break ground this fall and get dirt moving for the facility that is set to open by 2029.

(City Photos: Officials from the City of Rapid City, Rapid City Sports Commission and Sanford Health gathered earlier this month along East Mall Drive to announce the corporate partnership agreement for the new sports complex)

08/18/2026

Rapid City will break ground on a new $9.1 million joint fire station, police substation, and public park. Read more at the link in the comments.

08/18/2026

Rapid City City Council 08-17-2026

08/17/2026

CREWS RESPONDING TO WATER LINE BREAK ON SECTION OF E. WATERLOO STREET

RAPID CITY, SD—Crews are responding to a water line break in the vicinity of the 500 block of E. Waterloo Street. Water service is impacted to approximately six (6) homes in the area..
Repairs are expected to be completed by later this evening. There is no impacts to traffic flow, however drivers are advised to use additional caution when traveling in the affected area.
Updates will be provided when available.