Sioux Falls Sports Scene

[JACKGUYII]

The South Dakota Senators have gotten 40 million to remove the railroad tracks out of downtown which is a major hurdle to building a new 12,000 seat arena in downtown Sioux Falls. This facility would be a great site for the Jacks to play a game or two.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...507280349/1001

[OK_Jackrabbit]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

The South Dakota Senators have gotten 40 million to remove the railroad tracks out of downtown which is a major hurdle to building a new 12,000 seat arena in downtown Sioux Falls. This facility would be a great site for the Jacks to play a game or two.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...507280349/1001

There has been a lot of discussion in Sioux Falls about whether or not that site, on the east bank of the Big Sioux (where the Zip Feeds tower stands) is a good spot for an arena. Personally, I think it would be great and would be the beginning of enhancing that area. There are great old warehouses there being turned into restaurants, retail, and coffee shops. It would be great for Sioux Falls, and great for SDSU to play there.

[SiouxFallsJack]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

If the new arena does get built I would love to see the Jacks play a game each year in Sioux Falls. Of course, I might be a little biased since I live in Sioux Falls, but I would not want to take too many games away from Frost. If the arena would seat 12,000 this might be an option to get one of the larger schools to play here in SD.

[Jacks99]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I'm all for a new arena, but I don't think downtown is the answer. It is of course all politics and everyone involved has money invested downtown, so it will likely go there. I would imagine that the congestion from a big event in that area would be a problem.

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

Congestion in Sioux Falls is a problem, period. When I travel back to Sioux Falls, I long for Milwaukee traffic.

[OK_Jackrabbit]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

Congestion in Sioux Falls is a problem, period.  When I travel back to Sioux Falls, I long for Milwaukee traffic.

I guess I don't really agree... We lived in Norman, OK for three years. It's a city 2/3 the size of Sioux Falls, and it has much, much worse traffic every day.

I lived in Sioux Falls for many years, and I visit there frequently and while there is traffic, it doesn't seem that bad to me. Sure, Minnesota and 41st Street are always busy. I guess it's a matter of perspective. Traffic was worse in Norman, so I think it's not so bad in Sioux Falls.

Having lived in communities with sports venues in the downtown area, I can attest to the vibrancy that results from a downtown arena that is done right. And having worked in downtown Sioux Falls for several years, I can attest to the fact that while it is showing good signs of life, it could use a little vibrancy.

[Texas_Jacks_Fan]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I guess I'll weigh in on the traffic issue, I've found the freeways in and around Sioux Falls to be light to moderate with traffic, but I agree with MJA when comparing the surface streets like Minnesota Ave, 41st, and various other city streets rivaling anything we have in the Dallas area.
I consider 41st between I 29 and Minnesota Ave. the heaviest/most treacherous I have driven. with all of the cars turning on and off into businesses on both sides and the malls it makes for an obstacle course.

[OK_Jackrabbit]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I guess I'll weigh in on the traffic issue, I've found the freeways in and around Sioux Falls to be light to moderate with traffic, but I agree with MJA when comparing the surface streets like Minnesota Ave, 41st, and various other city streets rivaling anything we have in the Dallas area.
I consider 41st between I 29 and Minnesota Ave. the heaviest/most treacherous I have driven. with all of the cars turning on and off into businesses on both sides and the malls it makes for an obstacle course.

Scariest road I have seen: Route 22 in New Jersey. Imagine 41st Street going 75 mph with people turning into and out of businesses along the way. Yikes!

[GoJacks]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

  If the arena would seat 12,000 this might be an option to get one of the larger schools to play here in SD.

I personally think the new arena in Sioux Falls needs to be bigger than 12,000. I am hoping for 15,000-18,000 seats. I am sure I am dreaming, but to get a marquee match up vs. a consistant top 10 team I think SDSU needs that big of a venue to off set the guarantee that the top teams command. I also think it would be good for concerts and other things. I also think SDHSAA needs to really project numbers for Highschool state championships for basketball and wrestling. A venue like this could sell out, especially having both "A" and "B" wrestling there. I also think hosting both the boys and girls tournaments at the same venue for Basketball could draw well over ten thousand each night.

[filbert]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

IMHO the 15-18,000 seat range is too big for Sioux falls. 12K is probably about right--might even be a bit big for most events S.F. will get. Heck, Kansas City's new arena is 18,500. The trend nowadays is away from the 20,000 seat monster arenas and somewhat smaller arenas with more attractions and amenities.

I'd like to see an SDSU-sponsored holiday tournament in Sioux Falls . . . bring four decent D-I schools to town to ring in the new year, something like that.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

IMHO the new arena needs to be downtown and a facility of 12,000 is a perfect size for major sporting events, concerts etc. Will there be congestion after games absolutely, but I have not found many dowtowns venues that aren't congested after games. Even though there are no freeways that run into downtown I don't forsee it as a problem as dowtown hosts other special events much larger than 12,000. If the city wants a vibrant core than downtown is the right location. The new facility will also host the other minor league sports in town while the old arena becomes part of additional exhibit and meeting space for the convention center. I too would like to see a Holiday Tournament type format return to Sioux Falls with DI team.

[bisonmike]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I used to live in SF and believe me I'm all for a new arena. The only concern I have about a downtown location is the smell from john morrell at night that seems to suffocate parts of downtown. Has anyone else noticed that or is it just me?

[OK_Jackrabbit]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I used to live in SF and believe me I'm all for a new arena.  The only concern I have about a downtown location is the smell from john morrell at night that seems to suffocate parts of downtown.  Has anyone else noticed that or is it just me?

I lived on west 53rd Street and could smell Morrell's, so you really can't get away from it.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

I have not noticed the smell from Morrells much in recent years from downtown.

[bisonmike]

Re: Sioux Falls Sports Scene

In regards to what size the new arena should be, I think SF should aim high and build big. At least 15 -18K. It may seem big now, but with a projected sized of 225K by 2025 SF could very well grow into that size of an arena.