Sioux Falls Venue Revenues Up

City-owned venues in Sioux Falls, S.D., are in the black for the first time, thanks to increased revenues from a longstanding entertainment tax.

Though the tax has been around since the’80s, it’s never generated enough to support the Washington Pavilion, Orpheum Theater, Sioux Falls Arena and convention center, which have also gotten some help from the city’s general fund over the years.

But this year, the city reported revenue from the tax is up 5 percent, which should help cover next year’s operating loss.

“Venues like the Arena and the Orpheum historically have been partially supported with general fund dollars; 2014 is the first year that won’t be the case,” finance director Tracy Turbak told the local Argus Leader.

Officials attributed the revenue boost to an increase in ticket sales and a new admission charge for the Pavilion, the paper said.

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