DakotaDome

DakotaDome
The Dome
View from east in 2012
Map
Vermillion is located in the United States
Vermillion
Vermillion
Location in the United States
Vermillion is located in South Dakota
Vermillion
Vermillion
Location in South Dakota
Address1101 N. Dakota Street
LocationUniversity of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota, U.S.
Coordinates42°47′28″N 96°55′40″W / 42.79111°N 96.92778°W / 42.79111; -96.92778
OwnerUniversity of South Dakota
OperatorUniversity of South Dakota
Capacity9,100 (football)
SurfaceAstroTurf PureGrass
(2012–present)
Construction
Broke ground1976[1]
Opened1979; 45 years ago (1979)
Renovated2001, 2011–2012, 2014–2016, 2019–2020
Construction cost$8.2 million
($34.4 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectFritzel, Kroeger,
Griffin & Berg[3]
Structural engineerGeiger Berger Associates[3]
General contractorSharp Brothers Contracting
(Kansas City, MO)[4]
Tenants
South Dakota Coyotes (NCAA)
(1979–present)
Football (1979–present)
Men's basketball (1979–2016)
Women's basketball (1979–2016)
Swimming & diving (1979–2024)
Volleyball (1979–2015)
SDHSAA championship football games (1979–2019, 2021–present))[5]
Briar Cliff Chargers football (NAIA) (2013–2017)

The DakotaDome is an indoor multi-purpose stadium in the north central United States, located on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. Opened 45 years ago in 1979 at a cost of $8.2 million, the 9,100-seat venue is the home of the South Dakota Coyotes for football, swimming and diving, and track and field.[6] The approximate elevation is 1,220 feet (370 m) above sea level.

For five seasons beginning in 2013, the DakotaDome also hosted Briar Cliff University football (NAIA); following the 2017 season, the Chargers resumed home games on their campus in Sioux City, Iowa, 25 miles (40 km) to the southeast.

The Dome hosts other events throughout the year, including the high school football state championships each November. In 2014, a proposal for a new basketball arena went through and construction began just south of the Dome. The new arena, the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, which seats 6,000, opened in the fall of 2016 for volleyball, preceding the 2016–17 basketball season.[7][8]

Originally an air-supported structure, numerous roof collapses led to it being replaced by a $13.7 million steel roof in 2001. In early 2019, construction to rebuild the interior of the west side of the stadium began. The project cost was approximately $26.3 million and was completed in 2020.[8][9]

  1. ^ "DakotaDome ground-breaking was unique," Rapid City Journal (AP), June 14, 1976.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b South Dakota Building Authority v. Geiger-Berger Associates, P.C., 414 N.W.2d 15 (S.D. 1987).
  4. ^ Lars Larmon, "DakotaDome changes Vermillion skyline," Argus-Leader, April 19, 1977.
  5. ^ [email protected], David Lias (22 October 2021). "$25M Expansion Of USD Wellness Center Will Begin Summer 2022". Vermillion Plain Talk. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  6. ^ "DakotaDome". stadiumjourney.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  7. ^ "Fall 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  8. ^ a b 1994 Facelift. University of South Dakota Athletic Department. Retrieved February 15, 2008.
  9. ^ "USD Facilities". University of South Dakota Athletic Department. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2008.