RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City officials and the Rapid City Sports Commission announced Thursday morning that Sanford Health will hold the naming rights for the city’s planned multipurpose sports complex.
The multi-million-dollar corporate partnership is a significant milestone, but several major structural pieces are still slated to fall into place next week, when the city’s Legal and Finance Committee takes up both the naming agreement and a construction management contract.
The Sanford Agreement
During a brief ceremony held on Fleet Farm frontage land along East Mall Drive, Mayor Jason Salamun and Sports Commission Executive Director Domico Rodriguez officially unveiled the partnership, according to a release from the City of Rapid City.
- The agreement is a $10 million, 20-year partnership.
- Sanford Health’s financial contribution is scheduled to begin in 2027.
- The funds are designated to support both the facility and its ongoing operations.
- In return, Sanford Health secures naming recognition for the sports complex.
- The healthcare provider also gains a dedicated space within the complex for sports medicine, sports performance, and Sports Academy activities.
“I am pleased to announce that Sanford Health will serve as our premier partner, including holding the naming recognition for Rapid City’s new sports complex,” Mayor Salamun said. “This partnership brings valuable experience and a shared commitment to creating a first-class facility that will serve our youth, residents, and visitors for generations to come.”
“Sanford Health is proud to partner with the City of Rapid City on this historic investment in health, sports and community,” said Kyle Wiese, Sanford Black Hills President and CEO.
“When Sanford Health expanded into the Black Hills, we made a commitment to meaningfully invest in the people and communities we serve. This partnership is another example of keeping that promise.”
“Sanford’s investment into the complex will help benefit Rapid City and our athletes for the next generation,” said Domico Rodriguez, Rapid City Sports Commission Executive Director. “They have been extremely successful in the Sioux Falls and Fargo markets, and we are excited to partner with them on this project.”
Moving Past the Podium: What Happens Next
With the naming sponsor revealed, attention shifts back to municipal chambers to finalize the remaining administrative framework.
- Next week, the city’s Legal and Finance Committee will take up the naming recognition agreement.
- The same meeting will consider an agreement with Scull Construction Service, Inc. to serve as construction manager at risk — a role that had not yet been filled as of the project’s architect agreement.
- This upcoming vote follows the Rapid City Council’s July 20 approval of a contract with TSP, Inc. to serve as project architect and an agreement with Sports Facilities Management, LLC to manage the complex once built.
- The Council separately approved the underlying Pete Lien & Sons land donation agreement last month.
Facility Footprint and Timeline
Thursday’s announcement took place overlooking the 22.65 acres of land set aside for the future complex.
- The land parcel was donated by Pete Lien & Sons.
- The property sits between East Mall Drive, Seger Drive, North LaCrosse Street, and Tish Boulevard.
- The city says it is hoping to break ground this fall — notably earlier than the Summer 2027 construction start previously estimated in the project’s architect agreement.
- The donation agreement requires substantial completion by the end of 2029.
What’s Still Unclear
Sanford’s $10 million commitment narrows, but does not appear to close, the roughly $12.1 million funding gap the Sentinel has previously identified in the project’s financing. The city’s own accounting of the remaining shortfall — and how it plans to close it — has not yet been made public.
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