WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- The City of Watertown’s Prairie Lakes Ice Arena was celebrated at this week’s City Council meeting for achieving national recognition, earning the prestigious Small Cities/Rural Communities Project of the Year for 2025 in the “structures” category from the American Public Works Association (APWA).

City Engineer Justin Petersen shares another special announcement about this award.

Petersen credited the collaborative efforts of the design team (JLG Architects), the contractor (RJM Construction), the owners’ representative (Tegra Group), and the fundraising powerhouse, the “Build it Now” committee. He also drew attention to the arena’s donor wall, a testament to the significant $10 million raised by the community.

Kurt, representing the South Dakota chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), provided insight into the organization.

Watertown has been a public agency member of the APWA since 2022. The Small Cities/Rural Communities category is specifically for projects in areas with a population of 50,000 or less. Winning projects must demonstrate excellence, creativity, ingenuity, efficiency, and have a profound impact on the community. Eligible projects must be developed, owned, and maintained by a public agency.

Laura Moore, Executive Assistant in the Public Works Department, detailed the nomination process.

Moore says the City of Watertown will have a national award presentation.

Tom Betti with JLG Architects praised the community’s fundraising efforts, engagement, and noted national recognition.

Councilman Danforth highlighted the arena’s positive impact on community activity, citing the popular Shamrocks hockey games and the positive feedback from out-of-state visitors.

Mayor Ried Holien thanked the numerous individuals and groups involved, emphasizing the community’s vision and perseverance in completing the over $36 million project, the largest public works endeavor in Watertown’s history.

Mayor Holien thanks the user groups for partnering.

The council concluded with a group photo, celebrating the collaborative success that led to this national recognition for the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena.