The latest episode of Meeting With the Mayor featured Mayor Jason Salamun discussing several major developments affecting Rapid City, including the city’s regional sports complex, a recent cybersecurity incident, the upcoming school bond election and the conclusion of South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial runoff.

Salamun said the long planned regional sports complex is entering a new phase, with the final major agreements moving toward approval and a naming rights announcement scheduled for next week.

“This thing is happening,” Salamun said. “This sports complex is being built.”

The city recently finalized agreements covering the donated land across from Fleet Farm, professional management and architectural services. The remaining agreements for construction management and naming rights are expected to be presented to the Rapid City Council following a public announcement.

Salamun said the project has been years in the making.

“We’ve been working on this for three years just to get to this point with these agreements,” he said.

The mayor said the project has exceeded its initial fundraising goal, reaching roughly $66 million through a combination of hotel bid fees, Tax Increment Financing, Vision Fund dollars, land donations and sponsorships. The city now hopes to raise approximately $76 million through additional sponsorship opportunities.

Construction is expected to lead to an opening in early 2029.

Salamun said the facility will provide indoor recreation for local residents while also attracting regional and national youth sporting events during the slower tourism months.

“It’s about building a year-round visitor industry,” he said. “It really for me starts with investing in kids in the next generation.”

The mayor also addressed a cybersecurity incident involving the city’s wastewater system. He emphasized that drinking water remained safe and that officials quickly isolated the issue after detecting unusual activity.

“At no time was the city’s water or wastewater infrastructure placed in jeopardy,” Salamun said, adding that cybersecurity experts continue investigating the incident.

The episode also touched on the upcoming Rapid City Area Schools bond election, the recent Republican gubernatorial runoff won by Gov. Larry Rhoden, and preparations for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Salamun encouraged residents to remain alert during rally week and reminded motorists to “be extra cautious” as thousands of visitors arrive in the Black Hills.