County OKs property swap with city

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BROOKINGS – Brookings County has approved taking over the 3.8 acres of land on which the Outdoor Adventure Center is located.

Monday’s action brings to an end the land swap with the City of Brookings, which also gives the city ownership of the Brookings County Resource Center at the Swiftel Center. The Brookings City Council OK’ed the real estate exchange during its Aug. 8 meeting.

The city will pay $500,000 to Brookings County in $100,000 installments in a five-year period for the County Resource Center building. Those payments will start in 2017.

The county already bought the OAC building from First Bank & Trust for $975,000 in a special meeting held June 29. First Bank & Trust had owned the assets of the OAC.

The OAC has operated as a nonprofit located along 22nd Avenue South next to the Dakota Nature Park, with more than 500 members. On its website, its mission is described as “working to provide youth, young adults, active seniors, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts with the education, skills and experiences related to our Dakota heritage.”

OAC leadership had first approached the county with the offer to sell the financially struggling OAC to the county back in July 2016.

After the county closes on the agreement on Sept. 15, 4-H will have up to 60 days afterward to move to the OAC building.

Game, Fish & Parks is also considering moving in, although no decision has been made.

“We’ve talked to the regional guys in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. It has to be approved by their staff in Pierre. We’ve had that conversation with them and they’re interested,” Brookings County Commission Chairman Larry Jensen said.

Even after 4-H moves in, the same services now offered at OAC will continue, Jensen confirmed.

“Our intent is continuous services provided out there as was done previously. And hopefully with bringing 4-H and GFP out there, there will be more opportunities for the youth and the people of Brookings County,” Jensen said.

Brookings County commissioners also approved on Monday the creation of a nine-member Brookings County OAC advisory board, whose members will be appointed by the commissioners.

Members will include two county commissioners, one 4-H leader or Extension board member, one archery range volunteer, one pistol range volunteer, one member of law enforcement, one Game, Fish & Parks representative and one community at-large member.

Their duties will include such tasks as the promotion of the Brookings County OAC, seeking potential uses for the facility and scheduling programs and activities at the facility.

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.