City Facilities Closed Due to COVID-19
Due to restrictions on public gatherings, the City of Rapid City has closed various facilities or restricting access. See below for information:
CITY HALL:
Effective Monday (March 23), City Hall offices are closed to the public.
Department staff are available by appointment only. The City Hall lobby will be open for limited access as residents will be able to drop off payments and documents, including development plans and permit applications, into a locked drop off container.
Residents are strongly encouraged to use the City's online services for payments as well as utilize the night depository box on the west side of the City Hall building, which is available any time of day. The public can also call or e-mail questions by contacting the individual City department. Contact information can be found on the City's website at rcgov.org .
CITY PARK PLAYGROUNDS AND RESTROOMS:
The City's Parks and Recreation Department has closed park system playgrounds and restroom facilities to public use and will stop taking reservations for Park picnic shelters. The actions are being taken to limit spread of COVID-19 by minimizing the size of public gatherings as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Several portable toilet facilities have been placed along the bike path and various park settings.
The actions remain in place until further notice.
The City is making the decision based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations for social distancing, limiting the size of public gatherings and managing the cleaning of the park equipment and facilities. The restroom facilities at Canyon Lake West Park Shelter, Legacy Commons in Memorial Park, Founders Park and Skyline Wilderness Park are year-round facilities and will be closed. Other park restroom facilities were scheduled to open in April but their opening is delayed until further notice.
Mayor Steve Allender is urging the public to adhere to the restrictions with the Park playground equipment and avoid congregating groups of more than 10 people in adherence to CDC guidelines. Caution tape, orange fencing and closure signage have been placed on affected playground areas.
City officials indicate the City's 36 parks and bike path remain open for public use.
ROOSEVELT SWIM CENTER & ICE ARENA
Due to restrictions on public gatherings, the City of Rapid City has extended the closure of Roosevelt Swim Center and Roosevelt Park Ice Arena until further notice.
City Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Biegler indicates the City's bike path, trails and park system remain open for public use.
RAPID CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY:
The downtown library will provide services from the drive-through window only, through April 10. The library facility will be closed to the public to support community efforts to help impede the spread of COVID-19. The drive-thru will be open Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Friday – Sunday, 9:30 a.m. -6:30 p.m. to pick up holds, return materials, or obtain a library card. Limited staff will be available to assist the community by phone, email and text. Please contact the library regarding any concerns about item renewals and fines and we will work with our community during this time.
Access ebooks, audiobooks, video, music, magazines and research tools from home using our digital library. A summary of library resources for all ages that can be accessed from home can be found here: https://www.rcgov.org/departments/library/digital-library/library-from-home-7826.html
In coordination with Rapid City Area Schools it has been decided to close the North Branch (10 Van Buren) at General Beadle School until at least April 13 in an effort to minimize outside traffic in the school and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
RAPID CITY POLICE:
Based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations for social distancing and self-quarantine in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Rapid City Police Department is encouraging the public to utilize the agency’s online services for reporting crimes occurring in Rapid City.
The online crime reporting service can be found on the RCPD’s homepage at www.RapidCityPolice.org. These services should be used for belated incidents, or situations that do not require an immediate police response.
Online reportable incidents include vehicle burglary, thefts, belated hit and run crashes, identity theft, lost property, and vandalism. Incidents reported via the online service will get the same attention and investigation afforded to all crimes reported to the RCPD.
In-progress crimes, emergencies and incidents requiring a timely police response should still be reported via 911, or the RCPD’s non-emergency line at 394-4131.
WEST AND SOUTH COMMUNITY GYMS
The City of Rapid City has extended the closure of the West and South Middle School Community Gyms and cancelling all programming at the facilities until further notice. City Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Biegler indicates the City's bike path, trails and park system remain open for public use.
RUSHMORE PLAZA CIVIC CENTER
At this time the venue is not open to the public and there are no public events occurring. As cancellations occur ticket holders will be notified and refunds will be given if the show meets refund parameters.
A number of events have either been postponed or are cancelled. For an updated list of postponed/cancelled events and information and other important information related to virus and its impact on events, go to: www.gotmine.com/coronavirus
JOURNEY MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER
Journey Museum and Learning Center officials indicate the community musuem is closed to the public. Staff is developing educational videos that will be made available without chaxrge to assist the public in sharing time with family members or to be enjoyed on your own time.