Scheels IcePlex Taking Shape

Sioux Falls, SD

The Scheels IcePlex is starting to take shape on the Sanford Sports Complex west of the Sioux Falls Airport. With much of the building's structure in place, crews began pouring the concrete for the ice floor Thursday.

It may look simple, but pouring the floor for this future ice rink is a painstaking process.

It takes crews nine hours to cover more than 10 miles worth of piping that will eventually be covered by a sheet of ice.

Out of the three rinks here at the Scheels IcePlex, this will be the only one with a concrete floor.

The other two rinks will have less-expensive sand floors.

"For now it just means it gives us an opportunity to have events over on a cement sheet. Whether that's trade shows, whether that's little race car track events, whatever. The sky is the limit over there. Roller hockey, it just gives us another opportunity on a cement floor versus a sand floor that will be on the other two rinks," Brian Prisbe said.

Brian Prisbe started his new job as the IcePlex general manager on Monday. With two of his own children playing ice sports, he's familiar with the city's struggles for ice facilities and he's excited to see what's happening today.

"Each time we come out here there's something different. You just see something that's more exciting. For example, today is the first time that I've been out here that the lights have been on in the center rink and it just opens it up. You can see a hockey rink. You can see the stands. You can just envision people sitting here. Each time you come out there's something fun that makes it more exciting," Prisbe said.

The IcePlex is on pace for a mid-September opening.

"Now you see things like lights on and walls separating and risers and bleachers. It's a little bit surreal every time I come out. I would think I'd be used to it by now. It's a true dream come true for not only myself but for a whole lot of other people," Zueger said.

Once it's complete, organizers hope this will be come a year-round destination.

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