Sioux Falls Mulls Arena

Officials in Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota, are in favor of building a 12,000-capacity venue in the city, but it’s hard to tell if the project has traction.

“I hear people say it’s going down in flames, and I hear people say it’s going to pass handily,” said Tea Party group member Allen Unruh. Sioux Falls officials recently presented the political group with a pro-arena pitch.

The arena has some detractors, namely a group called Citizens’ Network Against the Events Center. Officials in Sioux City, Iowa, have also expressed concerns because they say the venue would compete with the city’s 10,100-capacity Tyson Events Center.

The arena would cost an estimated $115 million, which Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether has called an “expensive investment.” However, Huether is one of the project’s most avid supporters, having recently distributed fliers to the community to lobby for the project.

The arena would replace the 8,000-capacity Sioux Falls Arena and would provide newfangled amenities like seats with padded backrests versus the existing venue’s fold-up wooden chairs.

City residents will vote on the project Nov. 8.