Watertown City Manager Amanda Mack: “It appears we got a lemon” (Audio)
October 18, 2023
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–Watertown’s city-owned and operated Prairie Lakes Wellness Center is referred to as a “state of the art fitness and recreation facility,” and while that may be the case in most aspects, an important internal feature of the building has been a bust that’s left city officials deeply disappointed and angry.
During Tuesday’s meeting to discuss capital improvement projects in Watertown going forward, it was recommended that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the Wellness Center’s pool area be replaced, at an estimated cost of $1.1 million.
Park and Rec Director Dusty Rodiek explained what the problem is…
City Manager Amanda Mack was straightforward in describing the pool’s HVAC system…….
Councilman Mike Danforth was not happy to hear it….
Councilman Bruce Buhler says the city bears some of the responsibility….
The Wellness Center opened in March 2017 at a cost of $21 million.