2021: Year in Review

Renewed momentum and increased interest in Lake Lorraine were the mantras for 2021. This year saw more services and living spaces added to the development, as well as new partnerships. The stage is set for even more progress in 2022. Here’s a look back at some of the notable moments of 2021:

FEBRUARY

After months of discussion, Friessen Development, Inc. and the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department kicked off the first event as part of their new partnership. The only allowed fishing activities at Lake Lorraine will be organized through GFP or FDI. And yes, there are fish in the lake! When Warren Friessen was excavating the site for materials to be used by Friessen Construction Company, he envisioned having a lake where he could fish. Once he dug out the space and the resulting lake filled with water from the Skunk Creek aquifer, Friessen stocked the lake. Known species in the water include northern pike, large mouth bass, crappie, perch and blue gill. 

APRIL

Meagan Donovan with Anytime Fitness Sioux Falls West received the Patriot Award from the South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. Patriot Awards are awarded to individual supervisors, not to an entire staff or organization as a whole. Donovan was nominated by Jordan Kent, who was the general manager of Anytime Fitness as well as a member of the National Guard. Brian Vognild presented the award to Donovan on behalf of ESGR. Vognild is a retired Air Force member and ESGR volunteer. He’s also part of the Friessen family, which is developing the Lake Lorraine lifestyle center.

MAY

Several employees from Scheels All Sports were able to explore the development in a way not many can — on the water. Lake Lorraine is privately-owned and is not open to the public for swimming or fishing activities. The annual Scheels University held part of its sessions on Lake Lorraine where employees had the opportunity to try out different watercraft. Scheels coordinated with the Hyatt Place to organize the water activities. Additional events were also held at Wall Lake.

Seasonal business Flow & Paddle returned to Lake Lorraine for a second season, adding kayak and pedal boat rentals to their fleet of stand-up paddleboards. Participating in a class or renting from Flow & Paddle is the only way to access the water at Lake Lorraine.

Friessen Development hired Pat Siemonsma to work on groundskeeping in the common areas of the development. He did an amazing job maintaining the green spaces.

JUNE

The Lake Lorraine Farmers Market returned for a third year, located on the east side of the development in the retail parking lot south of Hobby Lobby and north of Dave & Buster’s. The weekly market featured a variety of vendors throughout the season.

The Farmers Market welcomed the inaugural Acton Academy Children’s Business Fair in June. As part of the Fair, children developed a brand, created a product or service, built a marketing strategy, and were open for customers at the one-day marketplace.  Approximately 15 kid entrepreneurs had booths. Acton Academy Sioux Falls is a new accredited school that opened in fall 2021.

JULY

Friessen Development launched the Employee Discount Program, which is available to all employees of Lake Lorraine businesses. Participating businesses offer discounts for goods and services.  

August

Lake Lorraine visionary Warren Friessen turned 91. Learn more about Warren in this interview with his youngest grandchild when he turned 90.

SEPTEMBER

Members of the volunteer Minnehaha County Emergency Management Rescue Team came out to Lake Lorraine as part of their monthly training exercise.16 members came out to Lake Lorraine Sept. 9 to take part in a simulated recovery mission. The team arrived on scene and set-up as if it were a real emergency. This is the first time in several years that the group has been out to Lake Lorraine to train. The exercise keeps the volunteers’ skills sharp and prepares them for set-up for an actual water emergency at the development. Friessen Development, Inc., the land owners at Lake Lorraine, were grateful to be able to provide this training opportunity.

A new housing development was announced this month, which will add to the diversity of living options at Lake Lorraine. The Blu on Lorraine is a six-story, high-end apartment complex that will be on the northeast corner of the lake. The announcement was made in June and dirt work started in the fall. It will feature underground parking, modern décor and great views of the development. A group from Brookings is leading the project. The Blu is slated to open in 2023.

Flow & Paddle and Friessen Development partnered to host the inaugural Loop the Lake Race. Kayakers and SUPers looped the lake, racing to take home great prizes. It was a beautiful afternoon at the lake for the event, which also featured live music and food. Approximately 30 racers participated in the first-time event. Spectators dotted the seating areas to cheer for the racers.

A new Sioux Falls business added Lake Lorraine as one of its locations. QBIC Luxury Picnics sets up picnic outings, complete with decadent charcuterie boards, desserts and table scapes. Lake Lorraine serves as a perfect backdrop for romantic dates, anniversaries or unique experiences.

After a nearly 18-month hiatus, work resumed at Dave & Buster’s, an entertainment, restaurant and sports bar venue. The Lake Lorraine location is South Dakota’s first Dave & Buster’s. It’s scheduled to open in early 2022.

OCTOBER

Farmers Market vendors celebrated fall and all things pumpkin with the inaugural Pumpkin Day at the Farmers Market on Oct. 7. Vendor Hanisch Farms donated small pumpkins so everyone who attended the event received a pumpkin. Friessen Development had lots of free decorating options. The Rainy Day Coffee Company truck and live music from Link West rounded out the afternoon event, which was a beautiful fall South Dakota day.

The Farmers Market season ended in October. This was the second year it was located on the east side of the development. Vendors throughout the season included:

• Baking up a Storm

• Battle Creek Farm

• Dakota Pure Bison

• Dakota Quail

• Dried Fruit Au Natural

• Gilkerson Gardens

• Grind Knife Sharpening

• Hanisch Farms

• Haroldson Farms

• Heart of the City Bakery

• Kane's Baked Goods

• Karma’s Korn

• Little Shire Farm

• Pampered Chef

• Sipka Meats

• Spill Joy

• Uptown Sauce Company

• Warner's Produce

• Wildflower Farms

• Zoomies Dog Treats

Halloween at Lake Lorraine was back for a fourth year. It was again held on the Lake Walk, featuring characters, sports mascots, trick-or-treat stations and lots of photo opps with Lake Lorraine in the background. This free trick or treat event was made possible thanks to Lake Lorraine businesses and the following sponsors: Avera, Love Marlow, Q Productions, Security National Bank of South Dakota, and Woltman Group. Thanks also to the following supporters: Carsforsale.com, Delta Dental of South Dakota Flow & Paddle, Friessen Construction Company, Inc., Grand Living at Lake Lorraine, Health Connect of South Dakota, The Man Salon, Van Buskirk Companies, and Wings Gymnastics Academy.

The Haunted House Decorating Contest was back for a second year. Houses in the Sioux Falls area that go all out with Halloween décor were encouraged to enter. A group of volunteers representing Lake Lorraine businesses served as judges. The list of entrants was shared publicly so others could enjoy the Halloween spirit. The winning home received a swag bag of goodies from Lake Lorraine area businesses.  

NOVEMBER

Wings Gymnastics Academy opened Wings West in the retail building on the east side of the lake. This is a great spot located close to Child’s Play Toys.  

Pillar Dental relocated to Lake Lorraine in a new building on the northwest corner of the lake. The north half of the building is available for lease, featuring 5,000 sq. ft. of space and lots of windows out on the lake. Pillar Dental patients also enjoy those same views from their location.

DECEMBER

Friessen Development worked with local agency HenkinSchultz to add light pole banners around the development. The banners help show the Lake Lorraine boundaries.

The Man Salon celebrated its one-year anniversary at Lake Lorraine. It is one of three locations in Sioux Falls.