BROOKINGS — The Pioneer Park Bandshell project is advancing, and membership is increasing at the Brookings Activity Center, members of the Brookings Park & Recreation Board heard at Monday night’s meeting.

“Everybody knows that (the) Pioneer Park Bandshell is one of (the) hallmarks of our community,” Park, Recreation and Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman said. “I think a lot of people are engaged … with this project because everybody sees it as a part of our community.”

Engineering drawings were shown to board members, who were told that proposals for bids went out Monday, with a Dec. 1 deadline for their return. Furthermore, Zimmerman said, the repair project is still on track for work next spring, with a completion deadline of two weeks prior to July 4. 

It was noted that repairs will include improvements to, among other things, windows, stage-area drainage and ramps, with some electrical and stucco work as well, along with repainting.

According to Park, Recreation and Forestry Assistant Director Director Josh Bauman, the top layer of the bandshell’s stage will have to come off and be redone. One installed, the new layer will include a new epoxy coat so that it holds up better.

Brookings Activity Center 

It’s been nothing but up, up and away since Senior Services Supervisor Angi Strohfus came on board in May, with membership going gangbusters and activities multiplying.

“We have a lot going on right now — we have new activities every day,” Zimmerman said, adding that Strohfus is "really busting at the seams for programming space.”

Beyond that, she also had glowing words for the center’s first full-time supervisor.

“If you haven’t met Angi, I would encourage you to go over there,” Zimmerman said. “She’s (a) very vibrant person and she likes to be out in the community — you’re not going to be in a bad mood when you encounter Angi. She’s very exuberant.”

Some of the activities that Strohfus has undertaken includes trips, outings and, on Monday nights, dances. Painting and wine events also take place, along with bowling expeditions.

Membership is now in the 140 to 150 range, according to Zimmerman, and is open to people age 55 and up.

Other tidbits 

Board members also heard updates on a number of initiatives and possibilities, including:

• Edgebrook Golf Course: Water testing has been done, with results expected by Friday. The testing is meant to determine if it’s useful for irrigation purposes and what sort of treatment, if any, would be required, Zimmerman said.

Next steps include discussing a water allotment agreement with L.G. Everist — i.e., how much is allowed, what would the city be willing to spend for it and so on. Zimmerman hopes to have that finalized by the end of the year.

• Prairie Hills Trails: West half was poured for Phase 1 on Monday, with further work expected throughout the week. “So far it looks really good out there,” Bauman said. “They’re on track to have Phase 1 complete within the timeline.”

• Hillcrest Aquatic Center: It’s possible there will be a soft opening of the aquatic center on the Friday before Memorial Day in order to give first-time lifeguards a practice run with city employees and their families, along with PRF board families, in a safe environment. 

“It’s really important because your first time on the stand … you’re scared. It’s a very serious job. They’re oftentimes kids and we need to give them a practice run. So having that soft opening is key,” Zimmerman said.

The idea of a pool party for season-pass holders was also mentioned. If it becomes a reality, it would be a special after-hours event at the aquatic center as a thank you of sorts for buying an annual pass.

Another Hillcrest-related topic that came up was the possibility of extending the pool’s season. Numbers are still being crunched on this but, basically, it would involve having weekend-only hours at the aquatic center once the school year starts, and doing this until Labor Day weekend. Depending on the calendar year, it would add another two or three weekends to the swimming season. 

“I think that would go a long way with the public,” Zimmerman said.

• Popsicles in the Park: This program is being discussed and would be a kid-type activity and hand out popsicles at the same time, and would rotate among the city’s parks in order to highlight them. It would take place on Wednesday nights during the summer months.

• Great American Backyard Campout: This possible event would take place in June at Dakota Nature Park for families. It would incorporate things such as nature activities, a night hike, and meeting with falconry folks, who handle birds of prey.

• Food Forest: This initiative is currently in a holding pattern because the Sustainability Committee does not have funds for it.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.