STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council has approved the purchase of the Richards property southwest of town.
The property is being purchased by the city with the intent to construct an approximate 12-acre Aquatic Adventure Park.
The proposed park would be a unique recreational area that would serve both the existing residents of Sturgis as well as a catalyst for further tourism development.
Along with the planned lake, plans for the park include a no entry sand beach, splash pad, miniature golf, water-slides, floating inflatable courses and biking and hiking trails.
The city is also planning to develop part of the property to include a mixture of medium and higher end town homes and single family dwellings.
Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen says “The city’s intent would be to turn it out to RFP, request for proposals, from contractors to purchase the part of the property that we’re wanting to develop. ”
The highlights of the agreement include a purchase price of $1.4 million and a clause that voids the purchase agreement if a voter referendum overturns a council decision to purchase the property. The purchase price reflects an $800,000 reduction in the asking price.
Before negotiating a purchase price, the city did a geo-technical investigation of the property and found no geo-technical problems, such as gypsum, that would interfere with any contemplated use of the property.
Sturgis Council President Bekka Zerbst says the purchase of this land is just the first part of the puzzle.
“I fully see the aquatics park going there, I support that. I think the fact that we have water grants from the state that we can use for this project is a very positive thing.”
The council vote to approve the purchase of the Richards property was unanimous.
