Leaders Take Events Center Plan 'On The Road'

SIOUX FALLS, SD - In ten weeks, Sioux Falls voters will decide whether to build a $115 million events center.

In an effort to inform the public about the events center, city officials have put together a 20-minute presentation to share with clubs, service groups and businesses.

City officials can't buy advertising or offer opinions about how to vote on the events center, but they have put all the drawings of the project, information on the financing plan and all of the other specifics about the building into a presentation that they hope to share more than 200 times before Election Day.

"We're basically starting a traveling road show about the events center topic," Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether said.

City officials started giving presentations this week. Huether says city officials aren't trying to influence voters, but simply laying out all the details of the project so voters can make an informed decision.

"This is one of the most important votes that I think the people of Sioux Falls will make in a long, long time, so rather than basing their vote on rumor or speculation or innuendo, we'd rather have them base it on facts," Huether said.

Huether says 40 different groups have already booked the presentation but they are hoping to reach out to more than 200 groups in the next 75 days.

Some voters are already making up their minds.

"I would vote yes because I think it would help Sioux Falls grow. It's growing very fast and I think it will help them," Sioux Falls voter Connie Julien said.

But while there is support for an events center, other voters aren't sure if it will pass because of the $115 million price tag.

"I don't think so, too many old people. They always worry about money and what it's going to cost," voter Jim Savold said.

But Huether says the city will do its best to educate the public between now and Election Day.

"You name it. If they want us to speak, we'll be there to speak on this topic," Huether said.