Mayor Thanks Voters For 'Yes' Votes

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The majority of Sioux Falls voters say now is the time to build a new events center.

People across the city cast ballots on the issue on Tuesday. More than 58 percent of voters approve of the $115 million plan to build a new facility near the current Arena and Convention Center.

"This is one day in our city's history that we will remember for a long, long time. This is certainly one of those journeys in life that I personally will not forget. It has been a challenging adventure but an incredibly rewarding one as well. I am so proud of the people of Sioux Falls," Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether said.

Voter turnout was high, which is an indication of how much interest there is in the issue. More than 40 percent of registered voters took time to weigh in.

Huether started this latest push to get a new facility built just more than a year ago.

"We strongly believe that hard work, tenacity and the desire to do the right thing will go far in life. Over 50 years ago, grandmas and grandpas, they had the guts, they had the will and they had the foresight to invest in a new Arena in Sioux Falls. Thank goodness they did as we have been reaping the rewards of this solid workhorse ever since. Today's special election offered us a chance to do that same thing together. And we really became engaged and informed together," Huether said.

The plan calls for a $115 million events center to be built near the Arena and Convention Center. It will be a 12,000 seat facility.

"The citizens, they listened and informed.  They asked tough questions; they wanted to make a difference. Getting a new events center built for Sioux Falls should not be easy, and you know what, it hasn't been. It has been a significant and complicated adventure. Our citizens did not agree in every aspect of it,” Huether said.