Chamberlain has a new year-round fish cleaning station.
The project was developed through a partnership with the City of Chamberlain and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, according to a news release.
The Lake Francis Case Economic Development organization said the station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and includes several amenities the old one didn’t have.
It includes a new high-capacity fish grinding table, a washing station, a bathroom, heated floors, and air conditioning. Although the station is enclosed, the outside also includes a photo station with a new sign that reads, “Chamberlain, SD – Walleye Capital of the World.”
Officials from South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, the city of Chamberlain and the Chamberlain Explorers Club celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday.
The station was designed and built to provide people of all abilities and ages with a place to clean fish year-round.
The old station was outdoors and was only open from May to October.
Mike Lauritsen is the Economic Development Director for the Lake Francis Case Economic Development Office. He said the idea for the station came from two fishing enthusiasts who also happen to be city employees.
Once officials verified funds were available, the city and Game, Fish, and Parks finalized the agreement within a couple of weeks.
Lauritsen said they are working with the city, Game, Fish and Parks, and the Explorers Club on more projects that are ADA-accessible to provide access to the outdoors.
The cleaning station is located between two public boat ramps at American Creek Campground and Marina.