Panel Recommends New Arena for Rapid City Center

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A citizen committee in Rapid City says the $73 million needed for upgrades at the civic center's 36-year-old Barnett Arena would be better spent on a new facility.

Civic Center Futures Committee Chairman Dan Warren says $38 million is needed to bring the arena into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other improvements would cost another $35 million.

The committee says updates would reduce seating at the facility and that the arena won't meet the needs of future events.

Civic Center General Manager Brian Maliske says the next step is to develop a concept for a new arena and determine what it would cost.

The Rapid City Journal reports that the City Council maintains final say over whether a new facility is built.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.