Brookings, S.D. – The City of Brookings will soon reopen some of its previously closed facilities and operations to the public.

The Brookings Municipal Liquor Store, Edgebrook Golf Course, and the Brookings Regional Landfill have created processes to make services available to the public while utilizing best management practices to lower COVID-19 exposure risk.

“City leadership and staff have been diligently putting together processes and operational changes that continue to make services available to the community at this time,” said Brookings City Manager Paul Briseno. “We look to lessen the impact of this situation while continuing to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. Therefore, any temporary openings are evaluated extensively internally by utilizing CDC, OSHA, other national association guidelines. The measures we have put in place allow for continued operations while mitigating the risk.” He says, “The ingenuity within the Brookings business community is commendable, and our City enterprise funds which run like businesses are no different. By making changes and being innovative, we can take measured steps to continue to offer amenities and some normalcy, all while protecting the people within our community.”

The Brookings Liquor store will reopen for business at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9.

The store will implement social distancing guidelines by utilizing new measures and processes that have been put in place for alcohol and liquor purchase. All transactions will be taking place in the store’s enclosed entryway where plexiglass doors have been installed to allow for social distancing. Customers may place walk-in orders or pre-order via phone or email.

When placing or picking up orders, individuals will be asked to line up outside the store and they will be let in to complete their purchases one at a time. No pick-ups will be taking place outside on the sidewalk; all sales will take place within the entryway, and age verification will be made before any product is delivered. The store asks that patrons utilize designated standing spots that have been marked approximately six feet apart while waiting.

Liquor Store hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. To submit pre-orders, please call (605) 692-5613 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

The Brookings Regional Landfill is currently open to the public for free dumping. When community members visit the Landfill, they will be required to stop on the scale to weigh in and out, but they are being asked to refrain from entering the office area. Currently, the Landfill is working on plans to procure and install a new intercom system to allow visitors to communicate with employees inside the building. The new system will be available by early May. For now, staff will be available by phone if community members need to talk to someone. They can call the office number at (605) 693-3667, and if they forget to write the number down before going to the Landfill, they simply need to look at the office windows where it is be clearly displayed.

Free dumping will be available to residents through the end of city-wide spring cleanup. At that time, the Landfill will determine what the process for access will be moving forward.

The Brookings Parks and Recreation Department will open Edgebrook Golf Course on Thursday, April 9 (weather dependent), while utilizing safety protocols derived from United States Golf Association and South Dakota Golf Association recommendations.

Golfers will be asked to check in and make payments at a walk-up window on the south side of the clubhouse. The restroom within the clubhouse will be open, but eating, drinking, etc. will not be allowed within the building at this time, and course restrooms will be closed. Staff will be cleaning and disinfecting facilities and equipment regularly.

Groups will be limited to four Individuals who should practice social distancing by maintaining at least six feet of separation between themselves and other group members. Tee times are also being spread out to allow adequate space between groups. Cart use will be limited to one person per cart, with the exception of individuals who live together.