Aquatics

EmBe Aligns Resources to Expand Mission-Focused Impact; Aquatics Program to Conclude After 61 Years 

After extensive evaluation and thoughtful planning, EmBe announced today that it will conclude its Aquatics program and close its downtown pool effective September 1, 2026. The decision reflects the organization’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and to investing where it can create the greatest long-term impact for children, women, and families.

For 61 years, the pool at EmBe Downtown—formerly the YWCA—has been a place where generations of community members learned life-saving water safety skills, built confidence, improved their health, competed, and created lifelong memories. That legacy will remain an important part of EmBe’s history.

“Our mission is to uplift the potential in children, women, and families through opportunities that empower all,” said EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen. “As our community has evolved, so have its needs. This decision allows us to align our resources with the areas where EmBe is uniquely positioned to serve—supporting working families, expanding access to quality education and youth programming, empowering women, and strengthening workforce development opportunities.”

Over the past several years, Sioux Falls has made significant investments in expanding community aquatics, including new and enhanced public aquatic facilities supported by both public funding and private philanthropy. As those community resources continue to grow, EmBe has carefully evaluated the role of its own facility. Despite exploring every available option to sustain the pool, the hundreds of thousands of dollars required annually to operate and maintain it are no longer a responsible use of charitable resources.

“Stewardship means making difficult decisions today so we can continue creating opportunities tomorrow,” said Ravan Ackerman, Chief Development Officer. “We believe our donors want to invest where the need is greatest. By redirecting resources toward our mission, we can expand programs that strengthen families, prepare children for success, empower women, and help build the workforce our community needs.”

The transition also creates an opportunity for EmBe to focus donor investment on programs that remove barriers for working families and help meet Sioux Falls’ growing workforce needs through high-quality childcare, education, youth development, and workforce readiness initiatives. These programs help parents remain in the workforce, support children’s development, and strengthen the long-term vitality of the community.

Aquatics programming will continue through scheduled sessions, with final swim lessons concluding in July 2026. The pool will officially close on September 1, 2026. EmBe will provide participants with information about alternative aquatics facilities and swim lesson opportunities available throughout the Sioux Falls community.

To celebrate more than six decades of memories, EmBe invites the community for one last Legacy Lap on August 30 and 31. Before closing this chapter, community members are invited to swim in the pool one last time—free of charge. Walk through a historical timeline celebrating 61 years of EmBe Aquatics, reconnect with teammates, instructors, lifeguards, friends, and families, share your favorite memories, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate the people and partnerships that made this place so special. Whether you learned to swim at the YWCA decades ago or your child recently completed their first lesson, EmBe is honored to have you help us celebrate this remarkable legacy before we say goodbye to this historic space.

EmBe also extends its heartfelt gratitude to its Aquatics team, including its lifeguards, instructors, and facilities staff, whose dedication to safety, education, and service has positively impacted generations of Sioux Falls families.

“While this chapter is coming to a close, our commitment to this community has never been stronger,” said Tietgen. “We are moving forward with purpose—investing in the programs that only EmBe can provide and ensuring we remain a strong, sustainable organization for generations to come.”

For additional information and city pool resources, please visit this link.