Pierre Event Center Would Cost $14.5M, Have Seating for 4K

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Architects designing an event center for Pierre are proposing a $14.5 million facility that would have seating for 4,000 people.

Kirk Simet with ICON Architectural Group in Brookings says the 57,000-square-foot facility in the capital city would be similar to the 40,000-square-foot Swiftel Center in Brookings.

The facility would replace the old downtown City Auditorium, which hosted everything from sporting events to governor inaugurations but was closed in 2010 because of structural issues and demolished last year.

Two Pierre home developers have donated 16 acres of land for the event center. Mayor Laurie Gill says the facility could be funded through private and public sources without raising property taxes.

The City Commission will decide next month whether to develop the project. If so, the city will schedule public meetings.

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