ABERDEEN, S.D. – Plans for a regional sports complex at Northern State University are moving forward, thanks to approval by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
The board voted unanimously to approve the NSU Regional Sports Complex Facility Program Plan at its meeting Wednesday on the Northern campus. The plan will next go before the South Dakota Legislature for consideration during the 2019 legislative session.
“We’re excited for what this complex will mean not only for our athletes, but for all of our students, as well as the entire community and region,” said NSU President Dr. Tim Downs. “This is a game-changing time for our campus, and we can’t thank the Regents enough for believing in what we’re doing here at NSU.”
The sports complex, which is on track to open in fall 2021, includes Dacotah Bank Stadium and Koehler Hall of Fame Softball Field. The stadium will be connected to the Barnett Center and will feature a synthetic turf field, with seating for 4,161.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to truly create a first-class facility,” said NSU Athletic Director Josh Moon said. “I’m grateful to the Regents for helping us make this happen.”
Dacotah Bank Stadium Details
Other details of Northern’s new stadium will include:
- Grandstand on the west side of the field facing east
- Ground level: ticket booth, lobby, service area, maintenance and storage
- Concourse level: concessions, restrooms, access to seating and open view of the field
- Press level: press rooms, coaches’ boxes, public address operations room and restrooms
- Upper grandstand level: chair back and loge seating
- Premium level: 11 suits, a lounge and restrooms
Plans also call for maintenance and repair costs to be funded through offerings such as personal seat licenses, ticket sales, parking fees, concessions and advertising revenue.
Educational Impact Campaign Details
The sports complex is one of three projects of the joint NSU-South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Educational Impact Campaign. The other two projects are a new SDSBVI facility, which is currently under construction, and the Athletic and Recreations Fields, which opened this fall.
The campaign currently sits at $44 million, which includes support from individual donors, area businesses, the city of Aberdeen and Governor’s Future Fund.
For more information about campus improvements projects at Northern, visit NSU Master Plan.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.