Hilton in downtown Sioux Falls ditches indoor pool, replaces it with Starbucks

The Hilton in downtown Sioux Falls is swapping out its indoor pool for a popular coffee chain.

A new Starbucks location is heading for the Hilton Garden Inn-Downtown and will open in a space equal in size to a standalone store – right where the pool is, representatives with Hegg Cos. announced Tuesday.

In an emailed statement, Hegg President and CEO Paul Hegg described the Starbucks as a better fit than the pool both for the hotel and for downtown.

“The pool area wasn’t getting very much use, so we began to think about better ways to utilize that space,” Hegg said in the email. “It’s our hope that it becomes a place to meet and gather.”

Construction is set to begin this month. Downtown Sioux Falls’ next Starbucks location is expected to open in the fall, with a separate entrance to Eighth Street and outdoor seating next to the Big Sioux River.

There will not be a drive-thru, according to the release from Hegg.