When asked about our vision for Rapid City, it’s simple: to be a community where kids thrive and families flourish. That is what separates healthy communities from those in decline. This vision is a driving force behind the proposed sports complex.

As we look to the future, we want the next generation to play, compete, and grow in high-quality facilities right here in Rapid City. We want parents and grandparents to share in those moments, building memories that strengthen our neighborhoods and our sense of belonging. The sports complex will also bring kids from different walks of life together, giving them the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships through sport.

Athletics, like the arts and other worthwhile endeavors, offer young people a powerful, productive outlet. They teach discipline, teamwork, resilience, and leadership, essential life skills that extend far beyond the court or field. By channeling energy into structured competition and achievement, sports help shape confident, responsible individuals who become strong contributors to our society.

This facility will deliver modern courts and fields for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports. Local athletes will gain quality training and competition opportunities without long-distance travel. Families and residents will have a welcoming year-round destination to stay active, including an indoor walking track, regardless of weather. In a city that values health, community, and opportunity, these spaces matter.

Beyond its benefits for residents, the complex will help advance Rapid City’s goal of becoming a true year-round visitor destination. By hosting regional and national tournaments and events, it will bring steady activity even during our quieter seasons. Visitors will fill hotel rooms, support local restaurants and businesses, and discover everything the Black Hills have to offer. It’s projected that the facility will generate approximately $11 million in direct annual economic impact at full operation, along with thousands of new hotel room nights and visitor days.

This economic boost is significant. Over time, it benefits local taxpayers and provides additional sales tax revenue for essential city services and quality of life initiatives. Sports tourism is already building momentum through basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, wrestling, football, volleyball, tennis, adventure sports, rodeo, and more. The new complex will build on that foundation, allowing us to increase our capacity to host even more sports events, which is why The Monument supports this project. Furthermore, the sports complex is a win for the entire state, returning 4.5 cents of every sales tax dollar collected in Rapid City to South Dakota.

The sports complex has been a major focus since I was elected in 2023 and reflects years of dedicated teamwork. The Rapid City Sports Commission, led by Executive Director Domico Rodriguez, completed a comprehensive feasibility study confirming both the community need and the strong potential return. City leaders thoughtfully evaluated multiple sites before recommending the Mall Drive location, made possible by the generous land donation from Pete Lien and Sons. No site is perfect, but this one offers strong accessibility, secured funding, and excellent potential for surrounding development.

To date, we have secured more than $66 million through the Hotel BID fee, the Catalyst TIF district, the land donation, Vision Funds, and a soon-to-be-announced naming rights partnership.

After the City Council approved the call for requests for proposals, a dedicated review committee including city leadership, Sports Commission representatives, technical experts, and legal counsel spent many months thoroughly evaluating submissions. Their work prioritized the best long-term outcomes for Rapid City.

We will make this official by bringing five key agreements before the City Council for approval this summer: the land donation from Pete Lien and Sons; a professional management agreement with Sports Facilities Companies; architecture and engineering services with TSP Inc.; a Construction Manager at Risk agreement with Scull Construction; and a naming rights partnership. Once approved, design, planning, and construction will begin.

Like any major undertaking, this project has faced challenges, but we have addressed them head-on. Our children deserve great places to play and compete. Our businesses deserve new opportunities to grow. And our community deserves facilities that match our potential. After years of study and preparation, we are grateful to bring this vision to life.

I am proud of the teamwork and determination that has brought us to this point. I am fired up about what this sports complex will mean for our families, our community, and the next generation. The future looks bright for Rapid City.

Jason Salamun
Mayor, Rapid City, SD

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