City Council approves agreement with Sanford Health on Sports Complex
Posted: August 19, 2026
The Rapid City Common Council Monday night approved the sports complex naming recognition agreement between the City of Rapid City and Sanford Health.
The Council approved the measure with nine members voting in favor and one member abstaining.
“Rapid City is grateful to partner with Sanford Health,” Mayor Salamun said moments prior to the Council’s vote. “It has been months and months in the making. With the sports complex, we are seeing a lot of things lining up. So many great partners across the board. To see the teamwork on this, to see this vision come to life. We are all very proud of it and it is all about the next generation.”
The partnership includes a $10 million donation by Sanford Health beginning in 2027 and continuing for 20 years, consisting of an initial $2 million in 2027. The investment will support the new sports complex facility and operations, and provides Sanford with naming rights for the sports complex and a dedicated space within the complex for use by Sanford for sports medicine and sports performance activities, among other recognition rights and privileges.
Kyle Wiese, Sanford Black Hills President and CEO, also addressed the Council before the vote.
“We know folks in this community have stood up for our youth and for sports for a long time,” said Wiese. “Sanford Health is so glad we can now stand beside the city on this wonderful project to bring this to fruition. This is an exciting time.”
The naming rights agreement is the latest in a number of iconic sports, community and regional facilities with the Sanford brand. Sanford has been involved in athletic development for more than 25 years. These efforts include operating the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls and partnering on the 400,000-square foot Fargo Parks Sports Center at the Sanford Sports Complex in Fargo, ND.
Sanford Sports operates sports performance, sports academy and sports events in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Annually, Sanford Sports has more than one million athlete contacts, runs more than 250 club teams and hosts nearly 100 tournaments and spectator events ranging from youth and high school to major college and professional.
Last month, the Rapid City Council approved an agreement between Pete Lien & Sons and the City of Rapid City for the donation of 22.65 acres of land located between East Mall Drive, Seger Drive, North Lacrosse Street and Tish Boulevard. At the July 20 meeting, the Council also approved a contract with TSP, Inc. to serve as architect for the project and an agreement with Sports Facilities Management LLC to serve as manager for the facility once it is constructed.
The next step in the process will be consideration of a construction manager at risk (CMAR) agreement for the facility, scheduled in the coming weeks.
Officials are hoping to break ground this fall and get dirt moving for the facility that is set to open by 2029.
