For the past four years South Dakota Gives has supported nonprofit organizations across South Dakota to celebrate generosity on South Dakota Day for Giving. This year, from sun up to sun down, nonprofits will be asking their community supporters to come together to raise as much as possible for their projects. As in previous years, Catch the Wave will also be partaking in South Dakota Day for Giving.

Catch the Wave initiated the official capital campaign. Already each board member, who in addition to giving their time and talents (we’re talking countless volunteer hours of raising awareness about a new community aquatic center) has made a charitable contribution that fits their personal budget and we are asking you to do the same.

Catch the Wave will be contacting businesses and individuals who have demonstrated a desire to support the vitality of our town to request a charitable donation in the form of a cash gift, matching gift, pledge, stock or security gifts, donor advised funds, retirement accounts, charitable bequests or gifts of grain or livestock. We hope we can count on you.

The cost of a new aquatic center is substantial and a significant undertaking for a small town. However, we believe it can be done. We have seen other communities come together to accomplish this goal. In fact, the Platte pool fundraising team commented that they underestimated the positive impact their new pool would have on their community and wished they had embarked on their fundraising sooner. They went from minimal pool use to having to close on holiday weekends because the number of patrons exceeded the pool capacity to maintain safety.

Aquatic centers offer people of all ages, abilities and cultures a means of social interaction, fun, relaxation and fitness. It also offers an opportunity to be outdoors, which research has shown to increase resilience and mental health.

Many people wonder why an aquatic center is necessary for non-swimmers. For Catch the Wave, building community is the primary goal. This takes place through the process of introducing the concept of a new aquatic center, building excitement, working together and ultimately accomplishing a task which supports it’s vital-ity by providing a beautiful space that promotes social interactions, mental and physical wellness, and invites others to Wagner as a place to live, work and play. This project is a symbol of caring for our community, believing in it and investing in it. An aquatic center says “we care about the members of our community” and the process of building it says “the members of our community care about our community.”

Did you know…

• Wagner Pool was marginally operational toward the end of the summer 2022.

• The toddler pool was closed to the public most of the summer.

• Swimming is the fifth most popular activity in the U.S.

• Swimming is the #1 activity among kids and teens in the U.S.

• 36% of children and teens and 15% of adults swim at least six times per year

• Wagner is in a prime location to promote recreation and has the potential to draw patrons to an aquatic center

• Hydrotherapy is the most effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

• Wagner’s current pool is over 65 years old.

If we haven’t contacted you yet and you would like to make a charitable donation, please contact Jamie Tjeerdsma at 605-481-2818, Darcy Kaberna at 605-481-2369, Andrea Fischer at 605-469-05249, Brenda Jaton at 605-491-1030, Michele Juffer at 605-481-0570, or Ericka Kotab at 605-491-0260.