After years of planning and efforts, the proposed Rapid City Sports Complex is a step closer to becoming a reality on the northern edge of Rapid City off E. Mall Drive.

On Wednesday, Rapid City’s Legal and Finance Committee recommended the full council consider the proposed agreement between the city and Pete Lien & Sons for the donation of 22.65 acres of property located between Seger Drive, E. Mall Drive, N. Lacrosse Street, and Tish Boulevard for the sports complex.

The committee recommendation moves the item to Monday’s full city council meeting. If approved by the full city council at their regular meeting Monday night, the target for substantial completion of the complex is fall 2028, possibly playing the first games by 2029.

“It’s been years of effort beginning back in 2023,” Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said during a press conference at city hall Thursday. “The sports commission did a feasibility study that said yes, this would be a great idea. And from there, it has been a lot of work — a lot of teamwork — ever since then.”

The proposed sport’s complex location – across Interstate 90 from Fleet Farm – is the same location previously entertained for the sports complex last year. That effort fell short when a proposed TIF District for Libertyland USA was rejected by voters and created a lack of infrastructure development funding for the neighboring sports complex project.

Domico Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Rapid City Sports Commission, acknowledged the challenges that presented at the time.

“We can figure out ways to either lessen that burden,” Rodriguez said. “Even shifting the building on that plat of land (would) help have some substantial cost savings with waterways and things like that. Part of that architect and engineering piece, the construction piece, is going to be crucial in some of those cost savings but we at least have a plan.”

The proposed sports complex would be a 180,000 square foot facility with an indoor walking track, basketball courts, and spaces to host regional sporting events.

Mayor Salamun said five key elements are making the project possible: The land donation from Pete Lien & Sons, the third-party management provided by Sports Facilities, architecture and engineering partners TSP, the experience of Scull Construction, and future partnership with naming rights.

“This area will host the sports complex but our hope is the area around it will develop as a result of it and I think that opportunity for the community is something remarkable,” Salamun said.

The total project cost is estimated to be $76.2 million, of which $64 million is currently secured. Funding includes $24.5 million from the Catalyst TIF District, $28.2 million from the Hotel Business Improvement District, $6.2 million in land donation value, and $5 million from the Vision Fund. Naming rights will provide additional revenue.

Rodriguez said that, as both a travel coach and a travel sports parent, he has seen firsthand what the lack of local facilities costs families.

“I tour facilities across the United States,” Rodriguez said. “This is going to put us on par with competition in the region — Casper, Fargo, Sioux Falls. It’s a huge opportunity for Rapid City. This is not just about me or my kids. It’s about generations to come.”

Beyond youth sports, the complex is seen as part of a strategy to build a year-round visitor economy. With approximately 3.9 million visitors annually — most concentrated in the summer — a sports complex capable of drawing regional and national tournaments during the off-season could boost hotel occupancy, restaurant traffic, and retail sales tax revenue.