Sioux Falls Development

[JACKGUYII]

The area near the Falls known as Uptown may be getting it's first major new project.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070306/NEWS/70306017

[89rabbit]

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/NEWS/703150336

Project to make splash at I-29 & I-90
Construction on water park to start this year

By Jill Callison
jcalliso@argusleader.com
Published: March 15, 2007

A water park and resort will occupy a sprawling piece of land where Interstate 90 meets Interstate 29 on the northwest side of Sioux Falls.

It will include the city's largest hotel and jumpstart development in a corner of the city that's long been lacking large-scale commerce.

Dr. Lloyd Solberg, a Sioux Falls cardiologist who has owned the property with his wife, Jayne, for more than 20 years, announced plans Wednesday for the $85 million Splash Resort and Conference Center. It will feature 400 guest rooms and a 50,000-square-foot enclosed water park.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, and it could open by February 2009.

The 80-acre development would include Redstone Village, which would have 400,000 square feet of retail space for stores and 200,000 square feet of office space. It would come together during the next 10 years. Completed, it is expected to add as many as 6,000 retail, hospitality and office jobs.

Total cost of the development is estimated at $180 million to $200 million. *. *. *. *(read more)


Go State! *:)

[2002jack]

For those of us living in Brookings, I'm glad to hear that SF is developing some commercial property to the north.

[Jacks99]

I'm even more glad to hear it living in North SF!!!

[Rabbit74]

The great news about economic development in Brookings posted on another thread in this category, prompted me to start this tread on Sioux Falls. *Economic development anywhere in South Dakota is good for SDSU. *And SDSU and the Jacks will particularly benefit from development in the Eastern part of the state.

There are at least five major projects scheduled to start in Sioux Falls this year, all of which are multi-hundred million dollar projects. *There of course is the Sanford Hospital project in central Sioux Falls, the water part development at the corner of of I 29 and I 90, the Uptown Sioux Falls development between downtown and Falls Park, and two combination shopping center/residential developments on the East side, the Dawley Farm Village and ParaPassu's Galleria at River Bend. *And there may be others of which I am not aware.

The developments in Brookings, Sioux Falls and the rest of the I-29 corridor such as Watertown will transform the area in ways that are almost hard to imagine. *SDSU and the Jacks are well positioned to benefit from all of this.

EDIT: I should have posted this under the Sioux Falls devopment thread, but don't know how to move it now. Feel free to move it Filbert or 89Rabbitt.

[JACKGUYII]

We now have three Sioux Falls Development threads!

[SD-STATE]

Airport Plans Long Term Expansion


By Kent ErdahlEvery fifteen years the Federal Aviation Administration asks the Sioux Falls Regional Airport to look to the horizon and predict growth and this time around that prediction is sky-high.

A new master plan calls for $100 million in improvements to the airport over the next 20 years including short term projects like a new snow removal equipment building scheduled for this summer, intermediate projects like an expanded baggage claim and a new air traffic control tower planned in 6-10 years, and long term options like increased parking and a new concourse which are still more than a decade away.

"You just plan for growth," says Sioux Falls Regional Airport executive director Mike Marnach. "And if the growth is occuring, which it is here, then we're making a plan to take that into consideration."

http://www.ksfy.com/news/6584287.html

[valleyrabbit]

The great news about economic development in Brookings posted on another thread in this category, prompted me to start this tread on Sioux Falls. *Economic development anywhere in South Dakota is good for SDSU. *And SDSU and the Jacks will particularly benefit from development in the Eastern part of the state.

There are at least five major projects scheduled to start in Sioux Falls this year, all of which are multi-hundred million dollar projects. *There of course is the Sanford Hospital project in central Sioux Falls, the water part development at the corner of of I 29 and I 90, the Uptown Sioux Falls development between downtown and Falls Park, and two combination shopping center/residential developments on the East side, the Dawley Farm Village and ParaPassu's Galleria at River Bend. *And there may be others of which I am not aware.

The developments in Brookings, Sioux Falls and the rest of the I-29 corridor such as Watertown will transform the area in ways that are almost hard to imagine. *SDSU and the Jacks are well positioned to benefit from all of this.

EDIT: *I should have posted this under the Sioux Falls devopment thread, but don't know how to move it now. *Feel free to move it Filbert or 89Rabbitt.

You are exactly right it will benefit SDSU and the Jackrabbit athletics. Maybe I am just a dreamer, but whenever SF gets a new arena built, I hope it has 12000-15000 capacity. The fans in the area have proven that they will buy tickets to watch D-I postseason basketball. A new arena would make the Mid-Con conference tournament a fixture in Sioux Falls and it would also give Sioux Falls the opportunity to host NCAA tournament games on both the men's and women's side.

Improving the airport will make Brookings more accesible to teams outside the region, so they will be more likely to sign home and home deals with the Jackrabbits

[Haldersham]

From what I am learning about the big dance and still know little, it appears that all the games are played on a neutral venue. If a large facility in Sioux Falls is built and its large enough to bid on a NCAA regional, I suspect that SDSU would not appear in that particular regional even with a selection at large or winning the Mid Con. I do wonder if tickets would be available to SF and surrounding area fans or would they be held back for all the participating team followers? I know tickets have been hard to come by when the Twin Cities hosted regionals in the past.

At any rate a NCAA Regional would be awfully good business for Sioux Falls. Facilities built now days are never big enough. The SF arena is hardly eligible even with the new improvements and everyone thought it was quiet the place back in 1962 or so when it opened. High school state touraments moved from Huron to SF because of more seating. Now the arena is short in seating and probably very out dated so a new one should be on the drawing boards.

I cant help but think some good things will happen soon in Sioux Falls will happen, and the WNIT crowds are no doubt are getting the attention of planners in SF.

I know acreages between SF and Brookings seem to be going higher and higher in sales price, so this land in between is very valuable, besides being some of the best farm land in the entire state. I understand some farm land in south Moody County went for 2500 per acre recently. Even with a bumper crop you wonder how that cash flows out positively if you got a note on the newly purchased land. This kind of suggests that developers are buying land and waiting for their right move.

There are some tough choices coming down the road. To farm or to urbanize being the big one in some of the area between Bks and SF.

[SD-STATE]

If I remember right, last year sometime, there was a lot of talk in S.F. about voting on and building a new arena as part as some downtown development. The talked has seemed to fizzle a bit and I'm not sure of all details since then.

[filbert]

If I remember right, last year sometime, there was a lot of talk in S.F. about voting on and building a new arena as part as some downtown development. The talked has seemed to fizzle a bit and I'm not sure of all details since then.

My personal opinion is that a new Sioux Falls arena is an idea that will resurface again, fairly quickly I think. The Sioux Falls Arena is just getting too old (and, possibly, too small) to continue to be the city's primary venue much longer.

[NightHawk78]

A lot of the momentum for a new arena in SF died when the voters soundly rejected a proposal for a new rec center. Cost over-runs on the Philips to the Falls project and some other lack-of-transparencies in city government made the public very skeptical of mega-projects from city government. In addition, the city has the Lewis and Clark water project to worry about. Finally, people would prefer that the new arena was not funded largely on the backs of the property tax payers, with some favoring a new hotel tax to help pay for the arena. This option, however, needs state approval, which is a challenge (at best).

I don't foresee SF ever hosting a men's MBB regional because of its size and the intense competition. A WBB regional, however, would be more of a possiblity, especially since the host school would often get placed there.

On a side note, Mitchell has an events center in the works:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/articles/index.cfm?id=18770&section=news
If Mitchell can get this built, SF may want to resurrect their arena plans so they aren't the ones worrying about losing statewide events.......

[joeboo22]

If I remember right, last year sometime, there was a lot of talk in S.F. about voting on and building a new arena as part as some downtown development. The talked has seemed to fizzle a bit and I'm not sure of all details since then.

My personal opinion is that a new Sioux Falls arena is an idea that will resurface again, fairly quickly I think. *The Sioux Falls Arena is just getting too old (and, possibly, too small) to continue to be the city's primary venue much longer.

I really think that with R.C. annoucing that they are building another arena will push S.F. too do so also.. I laff because R.C.'s exsisting arena is nicer then S.F.'s bigger and isn't used near as much as S.F.'s... Sioux Falls has 3 very successful sport team tennents in there arena and I really think they should go ahead and build another one.. One thing though I would favor building it next to the exsisting arena.. I don't know if there is room but they have howard wood, and the birdcage and can be part of the convention center also.. Nothing against DownTown but as an out of towner coming to see a skyforce game I like the fact that its easy to find and easy to get out of town...

I would propose a 10,000-12,000 2 decked arena...

[joeboo22]

On a side note, Mitchell has an events center in the works:
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/articles/index.cfm?id=18770&section=news
If Mitchell can get this built, SF may want to resurrect their arena plans so they aren't the ones worrying about losing statewide events.......[/quote]

I doubt this will pass... I'm for it 110% but when you mention property tax increase in south dakota people get really negative... even if its just small ammounts

[jackmd]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. Just not enough population base around here. I have attended the regional and final four in Minneapolis and had no trouble getting tickets the day of the games. Pleny of seats are empty at many of the opening round games even in much larger metro areas than Sioux Falls will ever become. As for the women's NCAA, different story and probably more likely.

Omaha will be hosting the first two rounds of next years Men's NCAA tourney. I would go but there is just so much going on around that time I'm not sure I want to miss other potential events.

Sioux Falls will build a new arena, its just a matter of money.

[valleyrabbit]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. *Just not enough population base around here. *I have attended the regional and final four in Minneapolis and had no trouble getting tickets the day of the games. *Pleny of seats are empty at many of the opening round games even in much larger metro areas than Sioux Falls will ever become. *As for the women's NCAA, different story and probably more likely.

Omaha will be hosting the first two rounds of next years Men's NCAA tourney. *I would go but there is just so much going on around that time I'm not sure I want to miss other potential events.

Sioux Falls will build a new arena, its just a matter of money.

I have to disagree with you on the fact SF never hosts an NCAA tournament game. I think the folks of SD need to think big. It probably won't happen because people in SD don't want it to happen. Omaha isn't that much larger and neither is Boise (a common host for 1st and 2nd round games). Keep an open mind. Who knows how much more Sioux Falls will grow?

[NightHawk78]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. Just not enough population base around here. I have attended the regional and final four in Minneapolis and had no trouble getting tickets the day of the games. Pleny of seats are empty at many of the opening round games even in much larger metro areas than Sioux Falls will ever become. As for the women's NCAA, different story and probably more likely.

Omaha will be hosting the first two rounds of next years Men's NCAA tourney. I would go but there is just so much going on around that time I'm not sure I want to miss other potential events.

Sioux Falls will build a new arena, its just a matter of money.

I have to disagree with you on the fact SF never hosts an NCAA tournament game. I think the folks of SD need to think big. It probably won't happen because people in SD don't want it to happen. Omaha isn't that much larger and neither is Boise (a common host for 1st and 2nd round games). Keep an open mind. Who knows how much more Sioux Falls will grow?


I think the "small/backwater" feeling is starting to fade away in this state. The reality, however, is that SF isn't yet up to the size that would make hosting a men's tourney likely. Is SF gets a new arena, then the next steps can start to occur. Hosting Mid-Con tourneys successfully will help draw a WBB regional. Doing those successfully would likely open the door to SF potentially hosting the opening rounds for the Big Dance. Doing all that is probably a process that would take at least 20 years......

[valleyrabbit]

I agree, but it is something we need to think of. If and when a new arena gets built and other things get developed we need to make sure they are adequate for future needs. For example if a new arena is built it needs to be big enough. With SDSU and NDSUs fan base, hard core fans or other schools and local casual basketball fans the Mid-Con could get a very good draw for a conference tournament. This would like NightHawk pointed out would get the ball rolling to ultimately getting NCAA tournament games in SF.

[Haldersham]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. *Just not enough population base around here. *I have attended the regional and final four in Minneapolis and had no trouble getting tickets the day of the games. *Pleny of seats are empty at many of the opening round games even in much larger metro areas than Sioux Falls will ever become. *As for the women's NCAA, different story and probably more likely.

Omaha will be hosting the first two rounds of next years Men's NCAA tourney. *I would go but there is just so much going on around that time I'm not sure I want to miss other potential events.

Sioux Falls will build a new arena, its just a matter of money.

I suspect CBS has played tricks on us when they do the opening rounds of the Big Dance. I always got the impression that these places were packed, but I have never attended a regional. Perhaps a women' regional is more in reach for SF than a men's. Maybe too, I am getting carried away with the WNIT fever in suggesting a regional for SF. Since no new arena is even close to being built, its likely a long ways off. The Sioux Falls electorate is not all sports crazy and they did show that in the last bond issue election. This may take some time to get the plans off the drawing board.

[jacksfaninne]

From what I am learning about the big dance and still know little, it appears that all the games are played on a neutral venue. If a large facility in Sioux Falls is built and its large enough to bid on a NCAA regional, I suspect that SDSU would not appear in that particular regional even with a selection at large or winning the Mid Con. I do wonder if tickets would be available to SF and surrounding area fans or would they be held back for all the participating team followers? I know tickets have been hard to come by when the Twin Cities hosted regionals in the past.
As jackmd has posted, the men's regional comes to Omaha next year. It's already sold out, and that's caused quite a bit of angst, or at least the process has. Each NCAA event has a host school. Obviously, Creighton is the host for next year's Omaha regional. Current Creighton season-ticket holders received the first shot at pre ordering tickets. They could buy more than the number of season tickets they hold. Then some received a second chance to buy even more. Basically, Creighton season-ticket holders bought up all available tickets. Non-Creighton season ticket holders are a little chapped. The Qwest Center was sold to the taxpaying public as a way to bring major events, such as NCAA bball regionals, to Omaha. No one mentioned that you'd have to be a Creighton season-ticket holder to get in. At least the scalpers will have fists full of tickets, and Creighton season-ticket holders will probably have their season tickets covered for years to come. I'm glad we spanked their baseball team.

Also, Sioux Falls won't get a sniff at a men's regional unless they go bigger for their new arena, which doesn't seem feasible. Omaha had to add seats to get closer to 18,000 in order to be considered by the NCAA.

[BTownJack]

That and Omaha has a far bigger population base than Sioux Falls...I'd be willing to bet Sioux Falls is 20+ years away from even thinking about hosting a NCAA first round game. Let's focus on hosting a Mid-Con tournament first...right now Sioux Falls probably wouldn't even be in the running for that.

[2002jack]

According to Wikepedia

Omaha is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is the county seat of Douglas County.GR6 As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 390,007. According to the 2005 census estimate, Omaha's population rose to 424,988 after annexing the smaller City of Elkhorn. Located on the eastern edge of Nebraska, it is on the Missouri River, about 20 miles (30 km) north of the mouth of the Platte River. Omaha is the anchor of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Council Bluffs, Iowa lies directly across the Missouri River from Omaha. The city and its suburbs formed the 60th-largest metropolitan area in the United States in 2000, with a population of 819,246 (2006 [1]) residing in eight counties or about 1.2 million within a 50-mile (80 km) radius


Omaha's metro area has a larger population than our whole state. *1.2 million within 50 miles. *Our state population is less than 800k.

[joeboo22]

The mid-west seems very possible for hosting tournaments.. if anybody knows much about mid-majors first of all there is alot of them in the midwest.. SDSU, NDSU, UNI, Drake, Creighton... I even consider Minnesota one... ;) And like small town basketball in south dakota the mid-major colleges are supported by the community not just the alum and it would be easy to sell out a 15,000+ arena in the midwest.. I do remember 3 years ago when North Carolina played in Denver I had a friend go down there because the NCC tournament was down there and he was being recruited by accouple of them and he decided to stay for the opening rounds and said that the Pepsi Center was half-full.. even when Air Force played it wasn't full.

Sioux Falls needs to build a big arena.. 15,000.. SF needs one the S.F. arena is old and has an arched roof causing concerts not to come to town... Sioux Falls needs to think big it is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and Lincoln county..(south Sioux Falls) was the fastest growing county in the United States. The Skyforce are #1 in attendence averaging 3,800 p/game what will happen when the D-league gets alil more developed and bigger names start coming to town? The Storm are one of if not they best Indoor football franchise in any league except for the AFL.. and the Stampede have survived.. (I had doubts) and grown big in the comunity.. And the Arena clearly isn't ment for hockey...SDSU has shown that they can sell 6,000+ tickets in 4 hours for a WNIT game I don't think 15,000 would be the tuffest thing to sell out for the NCAA tournament..

[JACKGUYII]

That and Omaha has a far bigger population base than Sioux Falls...I'd be willing to bet Sioux Falls is 20+ years away from even thinking about hosting a NCAA first round game. *Let's focus on hosting a Mid-Con tournament first...right now Sioux Falls probably wouldn't even be in the running for that. *

It better be in the running for the Mid-Cont in the near future as it's are only option as the hosts home arena is not an option. I realize the Arena is old, but still think it's a decent venue. Most of the seats are now chairback, new scoreboards on the ends, better and more concessions. The airport is close and the Sheraton next door. My understanding was the Mid-Cont officials were very impressed with the Sioux Falls facilities. The arena is not Frost, but it does has some redeeming qualities and the infrastructure in Sioux Falls is very adept at hosting big events. Bottom line is a new 15,000 seat arena is needed and my hope is it's downtown.

[joeboo22]

Why downtown?? Im not from Sioux Falls but most SF residents support it being downtown.. I would either want it as part of the exsisiting facility or build it west of town.. nothing against downtown but if you build it on the edge of town you can then build around the arena, make adiquite parking and the proper roads to get in and out fast and safe, I don't believe you can do that downtown..

[jackmd]

I have to disagree with you on the fact SF never hosts an NCAA tournament game. *I think the folks of SD need to think big. *It probably won't happen because people in SD don't want it to happen. *Omaha isn't that much larger and neither is Boise (a common host for 1st and 2nd round games). *Keep an open mind. *Who knows how much more Sioux Falls will grow?


I believe the county in which Boise is located exceeds a population of 300,000. I could be wrong. I don't think the Sioux Falls m"metro" area is much bigger than 200,000. That said, I agree that thinking in that direction for the future is better than just assuming it won't ever happen. I thank you for your perspective.

[2002jack]

I went an checked it out. Boise is only about twice as large as SF and the SF metro area. The Taco Bell Arena in Boise seats 12,000 for BB games. Perhaps a regional in SF is a possibility if they build a new arena large enough to host the event. I can see it now......Taco Johns Arena.

[joeboo22]

Its not so much the size of the city as it is the ability to host it and the attitude that the city has with it. I don't know what SF has for hotels but from what I hear they are great host for State events and are great host for there semi pro teams.

[1stRowFANatic]

I do know that the Event Center, as it came to be known, was developed with the idea that it could host NCAA events. I believe it was not the only driving factor in the size, but the plan called for a certain size and it was more than the minimum required.

As for the site of the Event Center, I would say that it is definitely not settled. The bond for the proposal to put it downtown was defeated by a very large margin and one of the reasons often cited by people was the location. Many people in SF do not believe there is adequate parking or roads for a facility in 13,000 - 15,000 range at a downtown location. Other reasons was that the cost was too much, didn't trust the city gov't because of cost overruns on other projects, and some others that I cannot recall.

Personally, I think SF needs a new event center, but I have to believe a better site can be found than what was proposed downtown. Moving traffic to the west (Minnesota Ave is about 4 blocks) is going to be almost impossible because of the Sioux River and the buildings that are built up against the streets already. I don't think it would be wise to add the cost of having to relocate Raven Industries to get traffic out of the event center to the west on 6th, same situation on 8th. If you want traffic to leave going to the east, the closest major artery is Cliff Ave, and that is almost a full mile away. Moving traffic to the north could happen along Weber as it winds past Morrells. To go south, the river forces everything over to Cliff Ave. If you head west first and then try to go south, you basically need to get to Minnesota Ave.

I'm not sure if it is feasible, and probably isn't, but the current location is really my first choice. I don't know how they could tear down the current Arena and build another, because of the use it gets. Maybe if the built the new one in the parking lot to the north of the current Arena, and then tore down the old one. That site has all the infrastructure in place already and would have to bring the total cost of the facility down.

But, that is just my uninformed opinion and am sure that those involved in the actual planning will come up with a good plan.

[SDSUJack3031]

Why downtown?? Im not from Sioux Falls but most SF residents support it being downtown.. I would either want it as part of the exsisiting facility or build it west of town.. nothing against downtown but if you build it on the edge of town you can then build around the arena, make adiquite parking and the proper roads to get in and out fast and safe, I don't believe you can do that downtown..


When the Rockies organization built Coors Field, they pretty much rebuilt the downtown of Denver (Lo-Do as they call it). Not that Sioux Falls is going to build Coors Field, but building the center down town will further enhance the quality of the area. Upgrades from restaurants to shops, etc. will all get better. You can look to expand to the west but I don't think downtown will be bad at all. I think it will be positive for the city either way. But who knows...I'm only a college student and I'm from MN.

[SD-STATE]

Alot of Downtowns die or shrink up with out a big draw like a arena or stadium to revitalize the area. Not much beats a "ma and pa" cafe or shop. You see less and less vibrant "downtowns" in almost any size city. Brookings, on the other hand, seems to be the exception to the rule. Downtown Brookings has seemed to grow over the years and has even put a couple of 22nd Ave. malls to shame.

[1stRowFANatic]

Well, if I could waive a magic wand and get everything done for free, what I would have done about 20 years ago was build a new Morrell's plant at the intersection of I-90 & I-229 in exchange for their current site. Built a new events center at site of the old Morrell's plant. In my mind, this would have generated a great deal of development downtown and would have located the event center close to downtown, but an area with infrastructrure built in. Of course, in my plan, there are no environmental concerns regarding the current Morrell's site, and the new, efficient building would also guarnatee high paying jobs for SF into the distant future. Just dreaming.

[goon]

SF has wanted to expand and grow the down town area a lot. Like it was said erlier, what would get more people down town in large numbers the having an arena or event center? The more attractions, the more businesses, the more living spaces DT are all positives in my book. It cleans up the area of old run down buildings with new, It adds entertainment, which couldn't hurt. I am for just about any improvements down town SF with in reason. so far i have liked what i have heard. After I graduate I will be living in SF so that is good news to me.

[2002jack]

Article about this topic in the Argus Leader.

http://argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070331/NEWS01/703310314/1007


I would be for a downtown events center. It almost looks like Sanford is using his hospital to influence SF's development.

[SoDak]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. Just not enough population base around here.

Has anyone been to Spokane, WA? It's in the middle of virtually nowhere, has a population base to draw from that's smaller than Sioux Falls, and hosted a regional tournament this year. I was there last summer and it seemed very comparable to SF, 190,000 people. We could draw a few from Omaha and from Mpls. The closes city of any size to Spokane is Seattle which is 4.5 hours away over mountains. It does have a decent arena, which seats 12,000. Sioux Falls should be planning for a 16-20,000 seat arena. There is no reason to think that Sioux Falls, or Fargo for that matter, couldn't host something like this in the near future.

[jackmd]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. *Just not enough population base around here.

Has anyone been to Spokane, WA? *It's in the middle of virtually nowhere, has a population base to draw from that's smaller than Sioux Falls, and hosted a regional tournament this year. *I was there last summer and it seemed very comparable to SF, 190,000 people. * We could draw a few from Omaha and from Mpls. *The closes city of any size to Spokane is Seattle which is 4.5 hours away over mountains. *It does have a decent arena, which seats 12,000. * Sioux Falls should be planning for a 16-20,000 seat arena. *There is no reason to think that Sioux Falls, or Fargo for that matter, couldn't host something like this in the near future. *

According to Wikpedia the population of the area around Spokane is nearly 600,000!! *Now, if you want to include all of the people in South Dakota as Sioux Falls, we have a comparison. *The "Sioux Falls area" doesn't approach half that number. *Granted, Wikpedia isn't the best source but they do cite state figures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane%2C_Washington

I still argue that there is reason to think Sioux Falls will not be hosting a men's NCAA BB tournament game/round. *Not enough population base.

[filbert]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. Just not enough population base around here.

Has anyone been to Spokane, WA? It's in the middle of virtually nowhere, has a population base to draw from that's smaller than Sioux Falls, and hosted a regional tournament this year. I was there last summer and it seemed very comparable to SF, 190,000 people. We could draw a few from Omaha and from Mpls. The closes city of any size to Spokane is Seattle which is 4.5 hours away over mountains. It does have a decent arena, which seats 12,000. Sioux Falls should be planning for a 16-20,000 seat arena. There is no reason to think that Sioux Falls, or Fargo for that matter, couldn't host something like this in the near future.
2006 population estimates:
Spokane MSA 446,706
Sioux Falls MSA 212,911.

Sioux Falls metro (including Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, McCook counties) is about half as big as Spokane.

[Jacks02]

No way Sioux Falls hosts a men's NCAA regiona or even the opening round games. *Just not enough population base around here.

Has anyone been to Spokane, WA? *It's in the middle of virtually nowhere, has a population base to draw from that's smaller than Sioux Falls, and hosted a regional tournament this year. *I was there last summer and it seemed very comparable to SF, 190,000 people. * We could draw a few from Omaha and from Mpls. *The closes city of any size to Spokane is Seattle which is 4.5 hours away over mountains. *It does have a decent arena, which seats 12,000. * Sioux Falls should be planning for a 16-20,000 seat arena. *There is no reason to think that Sioux Falls, or Fargo for that matter, couldn't host something like this in the near future. *
2006 population estimates:
Spokane MSA 446,706
Sioux Falls MSA 212,911.

Sioux Falls metro (including Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, McCook counties) is about half as big as Spokane.

Sioux Falls may be half as big now, but that gap will continue to close. Projections are for the SF Metro to be over 310,000 by 2025. 2025 sounds like a long ways away, but considering its already 2007, its coming faster than people realize.

Here is a PDF from Sioux Falls City Planning that has alot of interesting stats and projections. The boom is just beginning, its an exciting time to be living in Sioux Falls. If they do plan a new arena, I'd hope its at least a 20,000 seat facility.

http://www.siouxfalls.org/upload/documents/planning/2007/p125010_development_update.pdf

[SoDak]

Ok, those are some numbers I didn't see. I'm not certain how large an area they're putting into Spokane's SMSA, but apparently it's a considerable land area. I have a large client in Spokane and spent a week of each of the last 5 summers there working, and to my notion, the place is not appreciably bigger than SF, even after a city-tour with a local. And, it's about as remote as a city of that size can get. There is nothing in any direction. And I still maintain that with an events center, we most definitely could host a regional.

Another side-note, the US Census Bureau today released a list of the 50 fastest growing Metro Areas, and Sioux Falls is the only one on the list from the midwest. :)

[jackmd]

Ok, those are some numbers I didn't see. *I'm not certain how large an area they're putting into Spokane's SMSA, but apparently it's a considerable land area. *I have a large client in Spokane and spent a week of each of the last 5 summers there working, and to my notion, the place is not appreciably bigger than SF, even after a city-tour with a local. *And, it's about as remote as a city of that size can get. *There is nothing in any direction. *And I still maintain that with an events center, we most definitely could host a regional. *

Another side-note, the US Census Bureau today released a list of the 50 fastest growing Metro Areas, and Sioux Falls is the only one on the list from the midwest. * :)

Excellent points. There was a letter to the editor in the Argus regarding the Fargodome and how much more proactive Fargo seems to be than Sioux Falls when it comes to entertainment. I think we can all agree that Sioux Falls will not be considered for a major NCAA event with the current facilities. So, several things have to happen before a NCAA tournament game/round will be hosted in SD. Therefore, I think its going to be a while before we even see a legitimate shot at one of these events.

[SoDak]

Oh, I completely agree. It will be a long time. This city put the 6000 seat SF arena online in 1960 when the population was 65,000. A new venue is sorely needed, and it needs to look to the future, and be in the 16-20,000 seat range, or at least easily expandable to that range. Unfortunately, we have the tremendous cost of a major water project to deal with now, and taxpayers aren't much in the mood for arena talk. They gave the beat-down to an admittedly lavish rec-center a couple of years ago, and I think city government is going to remain somewhat gun-shy at introducing an events center for a bit. If half the announced plans over the last few months for development downtown come about, I think it'll sell in 2 or 3 years.

[filbert]

Somebody at the Argus must be reading this board . . . ;)
Arena's needs anticipated

Studies to also look at Pavilion's next decade (http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070409/NEWS01/704090312/1001/NEWS)

SMG, the group that manages the Arena, asked the city for a "fresh set of eyes" to study the 46-year-old building.

"We don't know what is going to happen with a new events center, or if it's going to happen," said Terry Torkildson, SMG's director of operations.

The last major renovation at the Arena was in 1998, when officials finished a $1.7 million project to add a professional hockey rink, which is used by the Sioux Falls Stampede.

[JACKGUYII]

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071222/NEWS/71222005

http://www.uptownatfallspark.com/

A major development in downtown Sioux Falls is moving forward.

[JACKGUYII]

VerSun just announced they are moving their corporate headquarters to Sioux Falls.

[propar80]

Saw this article on ESPN.com under the women's bball page. It talks about some of the regional sites being considered to host the NCAA Women's 2009-2010, since they will no longer be playing the games at one of the participants courts anymore in the NCAA tournament like they have been(other than the Final Four). Sounds to me like going forward, it will be set up just like the men's tourney.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=3243205

Looking at some of the sites for the NCAA tournament, if SF can get a new events center agreed upon and built, this is a REAL possibility for the city of SF and the state of SD.

Go Jacks!!