July 15, 2021

Wings Gymnastics Academy will be the newest addition at Lake Lorraine, where the development is starting to see more activity this summer.

Like Lake Lorraine, Wings has been in growth mode the past several years.

But in Sioux Falls, gymnastics has become concentrated on the east side, Wings founder Alicia Reiners said.

She hopes to address that when opening a second location at Lake Lorraine on Sept. 7.

“We wanted to be able to offer something to the west side of Sioux Falls, which is growing so quickly, but also to find an opportunity to get kids involved in things like gymnastics without having to drive all the way across town,” Reiners said. “We are also very maxed out in our preschool and girls rec programs, so it was obvious that we needed more space.” 

The programming that will be offered on the west side will include the Lil’ Wings program for kids who have started walking through age 4, its girls recreation program for age 5 and older, and special events.

Lessons will be identical to Wings’ other location, which is at 5825 S. Bahnson Ave.

“Every kid that walks in the door in the same week gets the exact same lesson plan,” Reiners said. “Our coaches are taught how to execute these lesson plans. No matter what class you come to and no matter what coach you have, they are all getting the same benefit out of the class.”

Wings will be in a retail center at Lake Lorraine that includes Child’s Play Toys on the east side of the development which stretches from Interstate 29 to Marion Road south of 26th Street. The timing is especially good following the Summer Olympics, which always drives interest in gymnastics, Reiners said.

“We don’t have to sell the gymnastics this year. That’s sold. People need to know where we are and what we stand for,” she said. “It’s always a big Olympic bump after the Olympics because it’s just otherwise the sport isn’t very visible. Unless you’re looking for gymnastics, you’re not seeing gymnastics unless it’s an Olympic year.”

Wings also will bring additional visibility to Lake Lorraine as families visit, said Mike Van Buskirk of co-developer Van Buskirk Cos.

“It brings activity,” he said, adding it’s a strong complement to the toy store and the future Dave & Buster’s, which has started hiring its management positions.

On the leasing side, “we’re finally starting to see activity,” he said, adding the pandemic caused much of that to slow last year.

“On Marion Road, we’ve got three potential deals out there right now, nothing signed as a lease, but that would pretty much fill that last building, and we’re close to getting those deals done.”

Pillar Dental also is under construction, and a new apartment project is in development on the north end of the development.

A new partnership with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks is bringing fishing classes to the lake, which this summer will include snorkeling and spearfish classes.

The state also planted native shoreline plants on the west side of the lake as a “show plot,” said Amy Smolik, Lake Lorraine community director.

“These native grasses and flowering plants will help with erosion, deter geese and beautify our lake walk.” 

The weekly farmers market also continues to attract interest from more vendors, and there’s another drive-in movie night in the works, she added.

The development is working to add amenities to its 1-mile walk around the lake to help tell the story of the Friessen family, which owned and co-developed the area.

And this week, Lake Lorraine will hold Crazy Days sales Friday and Saturday, with some continuing Sunday. That will include a food truck event Friday at Security National Bank.

“2020 was a hard year for many businesses, and we’re excited to see renewed momentum and increased interest in Lake Lorraine,” Smolik said. “We’re gaining traction with the words ‘lifestyle center’ as we add more services and living spaces, as well as places for visitors to stay and play.” 

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