Outdoor Pool: Kitchen Coming Together
In preparation for the opening of Pierre’s new outdoor pool this swim season, the Pierre City Commission has approved the purchase of equipment for the pool’s concession stand. Among the nearly 50 kitchen items approved at the Feb. 13 commission meeting were a snow cone maker, a nacho machine, standup coolers, and a hot dog grill.
“We talked with similarly sized pools throughout the state to see what items are popular at their concession stands and what are duds,” said Bryan Tipton, City Parks and Recreation Director. “You’ll find the new pool concession stand will offer much more than we had at the old pool.”
Tipton rattled off a handful of menu items including pizza, pretzels, hotdogs, snow cones and fountain pop. You won’t find popcorn at the new pool. It was universally advised against by other outdoor pool operators in South Dakota.
Mayor Steve Harding reminded those at the meeting the concession stand will serve more than just those who are at the pool for the day.
“We deliberately designed the concession stand to serve people who are in Griffin Park as well. We have a service window open to the park and one that can only be accessed from within the pool gates,” said Mayor Harding.
“It’ll provide a nice value add to those who are using the nearby skate park, playground, pickleball courts and walking path.”
The concession area is adjacent to the pool entrance and bathhouse. The area remains under construction with the primary focus on interior work including flooring, painting, and installation of fittings.
The outdoor pool is scheduled to open in late May. It will feature two heated pools with multiple slides, play features, a lazy river, and zero-depth entry.