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Sports & Events Authority Advisory Committee
612 N. Main, City Hall - Council Chambers
February 11, 2026
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order by: Kevin McCardle at 2:00 PM
SEA Advisory Committee members present: Kevin McCardle, Kevin Nelson, Cory Aadland,
Jason Christensen (via phone), Dave Sietsema, LaRee Rumbolz, Dave Helleloid, Tim Smith,
Jim Johnston, and Scott Morgan
SEA Advisory Committee members absent: Mayor Hanson, Jill Larson, and Emily Liedtke
O thers present: Aaron Hieb and Stephanie Ellwein
2. Scott Morgan to the Sports & Events Authority Committee for a term to run from
February 2026-June 2028
S cott Morgan introduced as a newly appointed committee member.
3. Presentation of Funding Applications
SEA Grant Application presentations by applicants.
The SEA Advisory Committee reviewed applications for grant funding.
T he following applications were presented and considered:
A. SDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet
Cory Aadland spoke on behalf of and presented the SDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet Grant
Application, which is requesting $7,500.
• Cory shared that the SDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet will take place on February 13-
14, 2026 at Mitchell High School. Cory provided the committee with a list of Class A
and Class AA schools that will be competing in the team competition on Friday,
February 13. He also reviewed the schedule of events for both days. The grant request
of $7,500 will mainly go towards paying the staff and hospitality room for the workers
and judges.
B. 16th Annual DWU Futsal Classic Indoor Tournament

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Nicolas Reinhard spoke on behalf of and presented the 16th Annual DWU Futsal Classic
Indoor Tournament Grant Application, which is requesting $2,700.
• Nicolas shared some contributing factors with the committee regarding the difficulty
recruiting teams for futsal in South Dakota compared to the middle 2010s. The DWU
Futsal Classic Indoor Tournament will take place on February 20-22, 2026, at the
DWU/Avera Sports & Wellness Complex as well as at the Christen Family Center on
DWU campus. Currently, the event has 60 teams registered. The grant request of
$2,700 will go towards referee expenses.
C. South Dakota Swimming 13 & Over State Championships
Jason Wede and Rob Schelske spoke on behalf of and presented the South Dakota
Swimming 13 & Over State Championships Grant Application, which is requesting $5,000.
• Jason and Rob shared that the event will be 4 days and take place from February 26–
28, March 1, 2026, at the Mitchell Recreation & Indoor Aquatic Center. This event will
bring approximately 250-300+ youth swimmers to Mitchell, SD. The Dakota Riptide will
sell a program and run concessions as means of revenue from the event. The grant
request of $5,000 will go towards expenses incurred from hosting the meet such as
pool rental and lifeguard wages.
D. MARCH CLASSIC Gymnastics Invitational
Removed from the agenda due to uncontrollable circumstances, the event will not take place
i n 2026.
E. 5th Annual Comedy Night presented by CVMA 30-2
Justin Hamer spoke on behalf of and presented the 5th Annual Comedy Night presented by
CVMA 30-2 Grant Application, which is requesting $1,500.
• Justin shared that the 5th Annual Comedy Night presented by the Combat Veterans
Motorcycle Association Chapter 30-2 will take place on March 21, 2026, at the Masonic
Lodge. Last year's (2025) attendance was 150. He also shared the event flyer along
with the entertainment for this year. The grant request of $1,500 will go towards the hall
rental and advertisement for the event.
F. Knights of Columbus Special Olympics State Basketball Banquet
Dan Froning spoke on behalf of and presented the Knights of Columbus Special Olympics
State Basketball Banquet Grant Application, which is requesting $1,200.
• Dan shared that the Knights of Columbus Special Olympics State Basketball
Tournament Banquet will take place on March 28, 2026, in the John Paul II School
Auditorium and Multi-purpose room. This has been the fifth time since 2017 that the

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Knights of Columbus have hosted this banquet. They will serve a spaghetti dinner with
bread sticks, refreshments, and a Dilly Bar to approximately 750 athletes. There will
also be a dance to follow the dinner. The grant request of $1,200 will go towards costs
for food, condiments, and cleaning.
G. Lucky Devils Adult Hockey Tournament
Stacy Murtha spoke on behalf of and presented the Lucky Devils Adult Hockey Tournament
Grant Application, which is requesting $4,000.
• Stacy shared that the 15th Annual Lucky Devils Adult Hockey Tournament will take
place April 10-12, 2026, in the Mitchell Activities Center, utilizing both sheets of ice.
The tournament will host up to 26 adult teams. Stacy shared where the teams and
players come from along with the other activities that they will participate in while in
Mitchell, SD. The grant request of $4,000 will go towards ice rental costs.
H. DWU Spring Golf Invitational
Jeff Meyerink spoke on behalf of and presented the DWU Spring Golf Invitational Grant
Application, which is requesting $4,000.
• Jeff shared a different format than the last couple of years for the invite. The DWU
Spring Golf Invitational will take place on April 12-13, 2026, with practice rounds taking
place on April 11. There will be a 36-hole format on Sunday and a final 18-holes on
Monday. Currently, there are approximately 80 golfers registered with a max field of 96.
The grant request of $4,000 will go towards a variety of items to provide the players
and coaches with a top-notch experience at Lakeview Golf Course.
I. Sioux Area 4-H Rodeo
Kelly Dunkelberger spoke on behalf of and presented the Sioux Area 4-H Rodeo Grant
Application, which is requesting $10,000.
• Kelly shared that the Sioux Area 4-H Rodeo is in its sixth year and is transitioning from
Sioux Falls to Mitchell (Horseman's Sports Arena) on June 27-28, 2026. The event will
bring approximately 200–250 (ages 8-18) along with 50 volunteers to Mitchell, SD. The
grant request of $10,000 will go towards stock for the event plus a variety of items to
keep the costs for the participants minimal.
J. South Dakota Chess Open
Jim Perry spoke on behalf of and presented the South Dakota Chess Open Grant Application,
which is requesting $4,175.

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• Jim shared that the South Dakota Chess Open will take place at the Masonic Lodge on
August 8-9, 2026. He is uncertain on the number of participants the event will draw, but
that state events around South Dakota usually draw between 50-60 players. The grant
request of $4,175 will go towards the costs of bringing Carissa Yip, (4-time U.S
Women's Chess Champion and International Chess Master) to the event.
4. Approval of Minutes
Motion: Motion was made by LaRee Rumbolz to approve the previous meeting minutes as
p resented, and seconded by Tim Smith. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
5. Financial Report
Aaron Hieb reviewed the financial report as of February 5, 2026.
Current expenses and award checks that have been written for 2026 are $39,200.
Current Available Fund Balance of $110,800.00.
Collections in December (for November records) are $26,494.00 with all collected. The total
collections for 2025 are $325,841.00, which accounts for 162,921 rooms nights.
Collections in January 2026 (for December 2025 records) are $16,591.00.
The YTD collections for 2026 are $16,591.00, which equates to 8,296 total room nights sold.
YTD comparisons of room nights sold were: down 7.6% (630 room nights sold) from 2025,
down 16.4% (1,363 room nights sold) from 2024, up 1.5% (127 room nights sold) from 2023,
down 9.0% from 2022, up 17.7% from 2021, and down 29.7% from 2020.
Motion: Motion was made by Dave Sietsema to approve the financial report as presented, and
s econded by Jim Johnston. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
6. Evaluation Forms/Financials/Surveys
A aron Hieb reviewed the following Evaluation Form w/Financials with the SEA Committee:
A. Evaluation Form(s) w/Financial(s)
DWU/Mitchell Pickleball Indoor Tournament (January 2-4, 2026)
• The event Exceeded (5) expectations. The total spectator attendance was 150. The
total participants were 140; Spearfish, Watertown, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Brookings,
Huron, 22 cities in 5 different states participated. The estimated number of total hotel
room nights was 75-80. Next year's date: January 1-3, 2027. The funds awarded
($2,500) were used towards prize money, and to purchase balls and supplies. Net
profit of $2,916.60, which will go towards promoting pickleball in Mitchell and to keep
supplies and equipment in good condition.

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7. Other Items
A aron Hieb shared the following information with the SEA Committee:
A. Upcoming SEA Events
• DWU/Culver’s Girls’ & Boys’ High School Basketball Classic (February 13-14)
o The World’s Only Corn Palace
• Mitchell Show Choir Classic (February 20-21)
o Mitchell Performing Arts Center
• South Dakota Girls Varsity Hockey State Tournament (March 5-7)
o Mitchell Activities Center
• South Dakota Middle School All-State Band (March 6-7)
o Mitchell Performing Arts Center
Complete list of events – MITCHELL CHAMBER EVENTS CALENDAR & Mitchell SD Events
Facebook
* BOLD – Awarded Sports & Events Authority Grant funding.
8. Executive Session in accordance with SDCL 9-34-19: Discussion of confidential trade
secrets, commercial, or financial information.
Motion: Dave Helleloid made a motion to go into Executive Session, and was seconded by
T im Smith. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
9. Approval of Funding Applications
SDHSAA State Gymnastics Meet
Date: February 13-14, 2026; Contact: Cory Aadland; Grant Request: $7,500
• Motion: Motion was made by Tim Smith to award $5,000 along with providing a post-
event evaluation form and detailed PL statement to be considered for additional
funding, and seconded by Jim Johnston. (8) members voted 'Aye' and the motion
passed.
• Abstain: Cory Aadland abstained from voting.
16th Annual DWU Futsal Classic Indoor Tournament
Date: February 20-22, 2026; Contact: Nicolas Reinhard; Grant Request: $2,700
• Motion: Motion was made by Cory Aadland to award $2,700, and seconded by Dave
Helleloid. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
South Dakota Swimming 13 & Over State Championships
Date: February 26-28 & March 1, 2026; Contact: Jason Wede; Grant Request: $5,000

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• Motion: Motion was made by Dave Helleloid to award $2,500, and seconded by LaRee
Rumbolz. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
5th Annual Comedy Night presented by CVMA
Date: March 21, 2026; Contact: Kim Hamer; Grant Request: $1,500
• Motion: Motion was made by Kevin Nelson to award $1,000, and seconded by LaRee
Rumbolz. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
Knights of Columbus Special Olympics State Basketball Banquet
Date: March 28, 2026; Contact: Vince Boddicker; Grant Request: $1,200
• Motion: Motion was made by Dave Helleloid to award $1,200, and seconded by Tim
Smith. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
Lucky Devils Adult Hockey Tournament
Date: April 10-12, 2026; Contact: Stacy Murtha; Grant Request: $4,000
• Motion: Motion was made by Cory Aadland to award $4,000, and seconded by Jim
Johnston. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
DWU Spring Golf Invitational
Date: April 12-13, 2026; Contact: Jeff Meyerink; Grant Request: $4,000
• Motion: Motion was made by Tim Smith to award $3,000, and seconded by Dave
Sietsema. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
Sioux Area 4-H Rodeo
Date: June 27-28, 2026; Contact: Kelly Dunkelberger; Grant Request: $10,000
• Motion: Motion was made by Dave Helleloid to award $2,500, and seconded by Scott
Morgan. (8) members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
• Abstain: Dave Sietsema abstained from voting.
South Dakota Chess Open
Date: August 8-9, 2026; Contact: Jim Perry; Grant Request: $4,175
• Motion: Motion was made by Dave Helleloid to award $1,000, and seconded by Kevin

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Nelson. All members voted 'Aye' and the motion passed.
10. Next Meeting Date
Kevin McCardle shared the next meeting date of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 2 PM — City
H all, Council Chambers.
11. Adjournment
M eeting adjourned by: Kevin McCardle at 3:48 PM