PIERRE, S.D. — In 2020, President Donald Trump announced a “Garden of American Heroes” in a speech at Mount Rushmore and later signed an executive order to establish one. Recently, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden sent a letter offering some land to be used in the creation of such a memorial.

In the letter, Rhoden highlighted the Black Hills as the ideal location for the monument, noting that a plot of land within view of Mount Rushmore has been offered for donation by the Lien family. The proposal builds upon a previous offer made by former Governor Kristi Noem in 2020.

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“Five years ago, in an Independence Day speech at Mount Rushmore in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, you announced a ‘National Garden of American Heroes’ to honor the greatest men and women who helped make America exceptional. I would like to offer those same Black Hills as the perfect location for this garden. In fact, we have a plot of land available in sight of Mount Rushmore that would be ideal for this fantastic effort.”

Location of the proposed garden Submitted: Storyland Studios

The National Garden of American Heroes aims to honor notable Americans, including George Washington, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Harriet Tubman, and Babe Ruth.

“The Black Hills mark the perfect location to achieve your vision,” Rhoden wrote. “Together, we will make this project happen in a way that honors America’s heroes, takes advantage of South Dakota’s natural beauty, and incorporates the most iconic monument to our greatest leaders: Mount Rushmore.”

You can find the full letter along with other materials embedded at the bottom of this article.

Submitted: Storyland Studios

The mockups that are included in the letter are credited to Storyland Studios, who notably is working with the Lein family on the Libertyland, USA project in Rapid City. In the initial release about Libertyland, Storyland Studios referred to another piece of the project being located in the Black Hills, closer to Mount Rushmore.

A representative of the Lien family, one of Chuck and Barbra’s children, said that this land has been a part of the plan dating back before Trump’s address.

The 120 acres of land, which straddles the Doane Robinson Tunnel on Highway 16A, was intended to be developed into a hotel and museum. When the Liens heard Trump’s address and proposal for the “National Garden of Heroes”, they decided to pivot and are now offering 40 acres of the land toward the garden.

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“We wanted to do something higher and better for Western South Dakota,” the representative said.

In 2019, the Lien family approached Mel McGowan with Storyland Studios and gave him a blank canvas with the land in order to do something bigger for Western South Dakota and to honor Chuck and Barb.

President Trump has mentioned that he would like to see the garden completed by the 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 2026. The Lien family said that they hope by offering the private land, it could expedite the process and allow that vision to come true.

SIOUX FALLS — The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting 23 sports legends on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

The 2025 class includes perhaps the greatest kicker in NFL history, world record holders, champion coaches, women athlete pioneers, a pro cowboy and South Dakota’s most well-known sled dog racer.

Tickets for the induction banquet will go on sale later this year.

Class of 2025 Inductees

The new inductees include Jo (Haase) Auch, Tom Casey, Jessi Combs (deceased), Cathy Coyle, Donovan Gibbs (deceased), Vern Halter, Ryan Jansa, brothers Edgar and Hobart Lone Hill (both deceased), Guy Mackner, Bill Marquardt, Kim Nelson, Candi Nielsen, Tom Reeves, John “Deac” Sanders, John “Stig” Stiegelmeier, “Jumping Jim” Tays, Mark Tetzlaff, Dennis Tiefenthaler, Buck Timmins (deceased), Lemoine Trout (deceased), Jim Uttecht and Adam Vinatieri.

Vinatieri was a Rapid City/South Dakota State/NFL legend. Uttecht coached West Central to numerous state football titles. Trout helped Rapid City Stevens build a track dynasty. Countless referees credit Timmins of Mitchell for teaching them his talents.

Tiefenthaler was one of the state’s greatest high school athletes at Armour. After Hamlin High School, Tetzlaff was an almost unstoppable force for SDSU on the basketball court. When Tays, a former Hot Springs coach, left Gettysburg High School and the University of South Dakota, he held the high jump record at 14 track meets across the region — the record that Tays set in 1949 is still the GHS record in 2025.

Stiegelmeier won a national football title at SDSU, and his impact was felt throughout the nation. A Sunshine Bible Academy legend and later an NFL standout, Sanders was one USD’s greatest players. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte graduate Reeves was a world champion saddle bronc rider. The multi-talented Nielsen was one of the best players ever at Armour, Augustana and in the North Central Conference.

Dakota State graduate Nelson, who like Stiegelmeier coached Vinatieri, is the winningest high school coach in SD history. Salem native Marquardt is one of four prep coaches in SD history to have teams win state football and basketball titles. NBA draft pick Mackner made Sisseton and SDSU basketball powerhouses in the 1960s.

Born in Pine Ridge, the Lone Hill brothers were two of the best earliest boxers in the Upper Midwest. Sioux Falls native and senior PGA golfer Jansa is the most decorated golfer in state history with a record 33 SD Golf Association titles. Flandreau and USD graduate Halter is the state’s most accomplished sled dog musher.

1940s multi-sport athlete Gibbs, who spent time in the NY Yankees farm system, led Claremont High School to three straight unbeaten seasons to begin their national-record 61-game win streak for six-man football. Belle Fourche High School and Northern State athletics rose to new heights with the multi-talented Coyle in various lineups.

Combs grew up in the Black Hills and later would set land-speed world records of more than 500 mph in jet-powered vehicles. State radio legend Casey’s voice is known and trusted throughout the vast Pine Ridge Reservation. Auch, one of the first women scholarship athletes at USD, expanded opportunities for high school athletes, especially girls, for decades.

More S.D. Sports Hall of Fame Information

With the 23 new inductees, the hall will have enshrined 395 women and men from every part of the state representing more than 30 sports. The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1968 by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association. A group of unpaid volunteers from across the state now manages it.

Inductees are voted into the hall in four categories: as athletes, coaches, contributors (such as media, administrators and/or officials) and/or legends (deceased).

To help preserve the hall and continue its mission, tax-free donations of any amount are always welcomed and appreciated. Contributions can be sent to the following address: South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, PO Box 2077, Sioux Falls, SD, 57101.

For more information on the hall, visit www.sdhof.com. Biographies of the inductees can be found at www.thepublicopinion.com.

South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame Members

1968 (6 added, first class): Joe Mendel, Carl B. “Rube” Hoy, Robert Rawlins, Jack Manders, Howard Wood, Ed Livingston.

Joe Mendel, Carl B. “Rube” Hoy, Robert Rawlins, Jack Manders, Howard Wood, Ed Livingston. 1969 (3): Billy Mills, Bill Carberry, Francis “Denny” Cosgrove.

Billy Mills, Bill Carberry, Francis “Denny” Cosgrove. 1970 (3): LaVerne Saunders, Carl Youngworth, Frank Leahy.

LaVerne Saunders, Carl Youngworth, Frank Leahy. 1971 (3): Frank McCormick, Euclid Cobb, Joe Foss.

Frank McCormick, Euclid Cobb, Joe Foss. 1972 (3): Pete Retzlaff, Harry Gamage, A.A. “Joe” Quintal.

Pete Retzlaff, Harry Gamage, A.A. “Joe” Quintal. 1973 (3): Marlene Hagge (First woman), Ralph Ginn, R.M. “Bus” Walseth.

Marlene Hagge (First woman), Ralph Ginn, R.M. “Bus” Walseth. 1974 (3): Weert Engelmann, Leonard “Lefty” Olson, Jim Emmerich.

Weert Engelmann, Leonard “Lefty” Olson, Jim Emmerich. 1975 (3): Gene Vidal, Harold Goodall, Joe Robbie.

1976 (3): Garney Henley, Warren W. Stephenson, Casey Tibbs.

Garney Henley, Warren W. Stephenson, Casey Tibbs. 1977 (3): Ordell Braase, Jack Martin, Howard Connors.

Ordell Braase, Jack Martin, Howard Connors. 1978 (3): Carroll Hardy, Paul Marschalk, Russell “Sox” Walseth.

Carroll Hardy, Paul Marschalk, Russell “Sox” Walseth. 1979 (3): Jim Iverson, Clark Swisher, Ev Comstock.

Jim Iverson, Clark Swisher, Ev Comstock. 1980 (3): Urban Odson, Buell Woodle, Bob Marske.

Urban Odson, Buell Woodle, Bob Marske. 1981 (3): Wayne Rasmussen, Dwane Clodfelter, Stan Marshall.

Wayne Rasmussen, Dwane Clodfelter, Stan Marshall. 1982 (3): Dick Green, Jim Marking, Amanda Clement.

Dick Green, Jim Marking, Amanda Clement. 1983 (3): Ray Hamann, Bob Clifford, Hobe Richards.

Ray Hamann, Bob Clifford, Hobe Richards. 1984 (3): Earl Sande, Bob Wachs, Wally Diehl.

Earl Sande, Bob Wachs, Wally Diehl. 1985 (3): Jim “Death Valley” Scott, Bob Burns, Ray Antonen.

Jim “Death Valley” Scott, Bob Burns, Ray Antonen. 1986 (3): Clarence “Pug” Manders, Conrad “Cornie” Collin, Kermit Wahl.

Clarence “Pug” Manders, Conrad “Cornie” Collin, Kermit Wahl. 1987 (3): Bob Stransky, George Houk, Cleve Abbott.

Bob Stransky, George Houk, Cleve Abbott. 1988 (3): Jim Langer, Joe Salem, Joseph Flanner.

Jim Langer, Joe Salem, Joseph Flanner. 1989 (3): Wilson “Buster” Charles, Ruth Marske, Buddy Edelen.

Wilson “Buster” Charles, Ruth Marske, Buddy Edelen. March 16, 1990 (3): Charles Feeney, Warren Williamson, Virginia Plihal.

Charles Feeney, Warren Williamson, Virginia Plihal. March 8, 1991 (3): Gene Haldeman, Gordie Fosness, Harve Johnston.

20 FAVORITES: Links to the stories highlighting the best northeastern South Dakota athletes since 1984

March 20, 1992 (3): George Amundson, Paul Roach, Howard Naasz.

George Amundson, Paul Roach, Howard Naasz. March 19, 1993 (3): John Dutton, Dan Lennon, Jim Kretchman.

John Dutton, Dan Lennon, Jim Kretchman. March 18, 1994 (3): Fred Gushurst, Stewart Ferguson, Jim Burt.

Fred Gushurst, Stewart Ferguson, Jim Burt. March 17, 1995 (3): Dave Collins, Rich Greeno, Dave Evans.

Dave Collins, Rich Greeno, Dave Evans. March 15, 1996 (3): Larry Jacobson, Max Hawk, Tanya Crevier.

Larry Jacobson, Max Hawk, Tanya Crevier. March 21, 1997 (4, last year inductions were done during halftime of state Class A boys basketball tournaments): Rex Swett, Bob Winter, Randy Lewis, Steph Schueler.

Rex Swett, Bob Winter, Randy Lewis, Steph Schueler. March 14, 1998 (5, first induction banquet held at Sioux Falls Ramada Inn): Carold Heier, Lolly Forseth, Larry Desautels, Gayle Hoover, Ken Guenthner.

Carold Heier, Lolly Forseth, Larry Desautels, Gayle Hoover, Ken Guenthner. March 20, 1999 (5): Tom McGrann, Phil Trautner, Jim Ashley, Phil Donohue, Bill Whisler.

Tom McGrann, Phil Trautner, Jim Ashley, Phil Donohue, Bill Whisler. April 1, 2000 (7): Don Jacobsen, Burdell Coplan, Howard “Hod” Nielsen, Roger Ferrie, Lee Goldhammer, Leigh Dunker, Floyd “Lefty” Johnson.

Don Jacobsen, Burdell Coplan, Howard “Hod” Nielsen, Roger Ferrie, Lee Goldhammer, Leigh Dunker, Floyd “Lefty” Johnson. April 7, 2001 (8): Pat Dobratz, Elmer Hansen, Dick Dozer, John Simko, Vince “Skaff” Lloyd, Jim Sutton, Leonard Lovley, Les Josephson.

Pat Dobratz, Elmer Hansen, Dick Dozer, John Simko, Vince “Skaff” Lloyd, Jim Sutton, Leonard Lovley, Les Josephson. April 6, 2002 (8): Fred Hecker, Sparky Anderson, Don Lindner, Frank Kelley, Howard Taplett, John Egan, Bill Jordan, Don Young.

Fred Hecker, Sparky Anderson, Don Lindner, Frank Kelley, Howard Taplett, John Egan, Bill Jordan, Don Young. April 5, 2003 (10): Bill Scherr, Nancy Neiber, Bill Tredway, Jim Scherr, Danny Olson, Neil Graff, Randy Schleusener, Charles “Deacon” Phillippe, Rich Andrzejewski, Gene Smith.

Bill Scherr, Nancy Neiber, Bill Tredway, Jim Scherr, Danny Olson, Neil Graff, Randy Schleusener, Charles “Deacon” Phillippe, Rich Andrzejewski, Gene Smith. April 3, 2004 (10): Cliff Konrad, Sandy Jerstad, Clar Lilevjen, Jerry Crider, Floyd Mitchell, Craig Stolze, Clyde Hagen, Romain “Red” Loecker, Vern McKee, Allen Tomnitz.

Cliff Konrad, Sandy Jerstad, Clar Lilevjen, Jerry Crider, Floyd Mitchell, Craig Stolze, Clyde Hagen, Romain “Red” Loecker, Vern McKee, Allen Tomnitz. April 2, 2005 (10): Blanche Even, Larry Luitjens, Don Bierle, Dave Gassman, Marv Sherrill, Pat Morrison, Pat Jefferson, Clint Johnson, Mel Klein, Jeffrey LeMair.

April 8, 2006 (10): Dave Ploof, Kent Hyde, Bob Swanhorst, John Diefendorf, Dave Strain, Indy Titterington, Andy Zephier, Keith “Doc” Fitzpatrick, Bob Oates, Norm Hilson.

Dave Ploof, Kent Hyde, Bob Swanhorst, John Diefendorf, Dave Strain, Indy Titterington, Andy Zephier, Keith “Doc” Fitzpatrick, Bob Oates, Norm Hilson. April 14, 2007 (10): Tony Dean, Doug Wolfgang, Jim Gremmels, Kay Besanson, Dave Little, Dean Mann, Kay (Stormo) Freund, Fred Tibbetts, Jim Thompson, Ralph Macy.

Tony Dean, Doug Wolfgang, Jim Gremmels, Kay Besanson, Dave Little, Dean Mann, Kay (Stormo) Freund, Fred Tibbetts, Jim Thompson, Ralph Macy. April 12, 2008 (10): Bill Welsh, Robin (Anderson) Thormodsgaard, Terry DuPris, Jim Booher, Mike Durfee, Don Grebin, Bob Johnson, Gene Zulk, Roger Toland, John Thomas.

Bill Welsh, Robin (Anderson) Thormodsgaard, Terry DuPris, Jim Booher, Mike Durfee, Don Grebin, Bob Johnson, Gene Zulk, Roger Toland, John Thomas. April 4, 2009 (8): Peggy Kirby, Lisa Van Goor, Lee “Lefty” Hisek, Bob Young, Frank Hughes, Ruth Rehn, Roger Nelson, Al Neuharth.

Peggy Kirby, Lisa Van Goor, Lee “Lefty” Hisek, Bob Young, Frank Hughes, Ruth Rehn, Roger Nelson, Al Neuharth. April 10, 2010 (10): Eric Piatkowski, Dave Thomas, Chris (Sandvig) Dummermuth, Dave Hanten, Gary “Smokey” Wallman, Marv Rasmussen, Dennis Koslowski, James “Sunny Jim” Schmidt, Gary Schwartz, Jim Quinn.

Eric Piatkowski, Dave Thomas, Chris (Sandvig) Dummermuth, Dave Hanten, Gary “Smokey” Wallman, Marv Rasmussen, Dennis Koslowski, James “Sunny Jim” Schmidt, Gary Schwartz, Jim Quinn. April 9, 2011 (10): Colin Kapitan, Jim Luce, Becky Flynn Jensen, Doug Martin, Roger Heirigs, Steve Adkins, Lee Colburn, Gary Boner, Tommie Lee White, Cliff Anderson.

Colin Kapitan, Jim Luce, Becky Flynn Jensen, Doug Martin, Roger Heirigs, Steve Adkins, Lee Colburn, Gary Boner, Tommie Lee White, Cliff Anderson. April 14, 2012 (10): Diane (Hiemstra) Gabriel, Mark Ekeland, Galen Busch, Dan Dworsky, Rick Nissen, Jim Kampen, Steve Brown, Sheri Keck, Lincoln McIlravy, Clarence Schutte.

Diane (Hiemstra) Gabriel, Mark Ekeland, Galen Busch, Dan Dworsky, Rick Nissen, Jim Kampen, Steve Brown, Sheri Keck, Lincoln McIlravy, Clarence Schutte. April 13, 2013 (11): Lyle “Dusty” LeBeaux, Kris Tschetter, Rod DeHaven, Gary Munsen, Don Meyer, Bob Schroeder, Harold Thune, Curt Fredrickson, James “Pev” Evans, Pal Christensen, LeRoy Carlson.

Lyle “Dusty” LeBeaux, Kris Tschetter, Rod DeHaven, Gary Munsen, Don Meyer, Bob Schroeder, Harold Thune, Curt Fredrickson, James “Pev” Evans, Pal Christensen, LeRoy Carlson. April 12, 2014 (9): Jack Theeler, Arnold Johnson, Doug Stanford, Dick Callahan, Herb Bartling, Jay Dirksen, Ted Kessinger, Paul Ferrie, Mel Tjeerdsma.

Jack Theeler, Arnold Johnson, Doug Stanford, Dick Callahan, Herb Bartling, Jay Dirksen, Ted Kessinger, Paul Ferrie, Mel Tjeerdsma. April 11, 2015 (20): Jill (Theeler) Schlekeway, Jane Wipf Wiebe, Neysa Villa, Alice Bauer, Cindy Greiner, Phyllis Hunter, Billy Etbauer, Bob Laskowski, Vic Godfrey, Chad Nelson, David Gottsleben, Oliver “Flop” Garner, Doug Evans, Rollie Greeno, Oscar Matthew “Battling” Nelson, Ward “Piggy” Lambert, Dale Palmer, A.B. “Bud” Tyler, Grover Potts, Paul “Pepper” Sheeks.

Jill (Theeler) Schlekeway, Jane Wipf Wiebe, Neysa Villa, Alice Bauer, Cindy Greiner, Phyllis Hunter, Billy Etbauer, Bob Laskowski, Vic Godfrey, Chad Nelson, David Gottsleben, Oliver “Flop” Garner, Doug Evans, Rollie Greeno, Oscar Matthew “Battling” Nelson, Ward “Piggy” Lambert, Dale Palmer, A.B. “Bud” Tyler, Grover Potts, Paul “Pepper” Sheeks. April 9, 2016 (10): Ben Leber, Steve Heidenreich, Joe Trudeau, Greg Hansen, Bob Olson, Doug Schlepp, Jim Mitchell, Patricia Reisdorfer, Rich Hanson, Tom Long.

Ben Leber, Steve Heidenreich, Joe Trudeau, Greg Hansen, Bob Olson, Doug Schlepp, Jim Mitchell, Patricia Reisdorfer, Rich Hanson, Tom Long. April 8, 2017 (10): Amy Burnett, Mel Antonen, Dana (Nielsen) Honner, Marvin Garrett, Burnell Glanzer, Jim Ricketts, Jerry James, Harvey Naasz, Duane Rykhus, Forry Flaagan.

Amy Burnett, Mel Antonen, Dana (Nielsen) Honner, Marvin Garrett, Burnell Glanzer, Jim Ricketts, Jerry James, Harvey Naasz, Duane Rykhus, Forry Flaagan. April 14, 2018: Banquet in Sioux Falls cancelled due to statewide snowstorm.

Banquet in Sioux Falls cancelled due to statewide snowstorm. April 25, 2019 (17): Kim Fordham-Lien, Mandy Koupal, Barb Felderman, Ron Lenz, Jay Hennies, Wayne Carney, Steve Kueter, Mark Ellis, Chad Greenway, Dale Weber, Jim Ahern, Clare Ekland, Blanche Barnum, Floyd Farrand, Gus Kolb, O.B. Phillips, Harry Prendergast.

Kim Fordham-Lien, Mandy Koupal, Barb Felderman, Ron Lenz, Jay Hennies, Wayne Carney, Steve Kueter, Mark Ellis, Chad Greenway, Dale Weber, Jim Ahern, Clare Ekland, Blanche Barnum, Floyd Farrand, Gus Kolb, O.B. Phillips, Harry Prendergast. April 25, 2020: Banquet in Sioux Falls cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Sept. 26, 2021 (16): Bruce Conley, Laverne Diede, Doug Eggers, Randy Fletcher, Kevin Leighton, Ronald Mitchell, Darwin Robinson, Ken Ruml, Heather Sieler-Goehner, Steve Withorne, John Houska, Wally Johnson, Jim Miner, Gary Reed, Duane Whalen, Jim Reinhart.

Bruce Conley, Laverne Diede, Doug Eggers, Randy Fletcher, Kevin Leighton, Ronald Mitchell, Darwin Robinson, Ken Ruml, Heather Sieler-Goehner, Steve Withorne, John Houska, Wally Johnson, Jim Miner, Gary Reed, Duane Whalen, Jim Reinhart. Sept. 25, 2022 (15): Janel Birrenkott, Bryan Brewer, Jill Christensen, Doug Clark, Kathie Courtney, Gary Evjen, Gene Johnson, Dave Krauth, Megan Mahoney, Bill Matthews, Alan Miller, Tom Rudebusch, Jeff Schemmel, Paul Tierney, Vince Whipple.

Janel Birrenkott, Bryan Brewer, Jill Christensen, Doug Clark, Kathie Courtney, Gary Evjen, Gene Johnson, Dave Krauth, Megan Mahoney, Bill Matthews, Alan Miller, Tom Rudebusch, Jeff Schemmel, Paul Tierney, Vince Whipple. Sept. 24, 2023 (22): Scott Bosanko, Linda Collignon, Marlyn Goldhammer, Chuck Iverson, Clarence Kooistra, Don “Lars” Larson, Jerry Miller, Dave “Mydie” Mydland, Terry Nielsen, Mark Ovenden, Jim Schlekeway, Bryan Schwartz, Brad Seely, Jeff Turning Heart, Don Baker, Gene Breemes, Harvey Hammrich, Lien Marso, Dean Minder, Mattie Goff Newcombe, Mike Roach, Josef “Joe” Thorne.

Scott Bosanko, Linda Collignon, Marlyn Goldhammer, Chuck Iverson, Clarence Kooistra, Don “Lars” Larson, Jerry Miller, Dave “Mydie” Mydland, Terry Nielsen, Mark Ovenden, Jim Schlekeway, Bryan Schwartz, Brad Seely, Jeff Turning Heart, Don Baker, Gene Breemes, Harvey Hammrich, Lien Marso, Dean Minder, Mattie Goff Newcombe, Mike Roach, Josef “Joe” Thorne. Sept. 22, 2024 (19): Don Barnes, Amy Mickelson, Bill Burns, Fred Ecoffey, Melissa (Olson) Guebert, Wayne “Hawkeye” Haensel, Jim Heinitz, George Kiner, Chad Lavin, Mark Meile, Scott Morgan, Sally Plihal, Dawn Seiler, Tim Smith, Rudolph “Rudy” Soderquist, Kim Templeton, Jeff Tiefenthaler, Kelvin Torve, Milo Wepking.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is naming a major state shooting sports complex after one of the project’s biggest sponsors.

The complex is being named after Pete Lien & Sons, a Black Hills-based resource and land development company. A Game, Fish and Parks spokesperson said they donated $2 million to the project for naming rates.

The 400-acre complex is being built ten miles north of Rapid City in Meade County. It’s expected to open this fall. Officials say it will offer a wide range of amenities, including multiple shooting ranges, education and training programs and facilities for competitions.

A statement from GF&P said the “complex will always have an opportunity for the general public free of charge.”

The complex came with a price tag of $20 million dollars. Around $13.5 million came from state economic development funds; private donations made up the rest.

“We are extremely pleased with all of the support and excitement for the shooting sports complex and our Second Amendment rights in South Dakota,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Department Secretary. “We want to thank all of our partners and everyone who has contributed to the complex, and we cannot wait to celebrate with them.”

GF&P officials said additional major partners include Smith & Wesson, Glock, Aimpoint, Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country, Scull Construction, SD Youth Hunting Adventures and the Greater Dacotah Chapter of the Safari Club International.

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Opening day is inching closer for the South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex just north of Rapid City. The 400-acre facility is on track to finish construction on October 4th with opening day later that month. Hours of operation are currently planned to be from 8:30 a.m. to just before dusk. The facility is aimed to be a premier destination for sharp shooters and training activities in the region.

South Dakota Game Fish and Parks started the project in December 2023. The project received $13.5 million in funding from the South Dakota Future Fund and discretionary funds from the Governor’s office. The remainder of the project was funded through private donations, which at the time of writing, has amassed $6.5 million. Game Fish and Parks estimates that each year, shooting sports in South Dakota generates $55 million in retail sales, $6 million in federal taxes, and $4 million in state and local taxes.

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“It’s our opportunity to give back to folks that are purchasing guns and ammo, helping to pay the bill,” said John Kanta, Project Lead for the South Dakota Sports Complex, “We really just decided with our priority of shooting sports, that we want to build a world-class complex up here, and give everybody a lot of great opportunity as far as shooting sports go.”

John Kanta, Project Lead for the South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex and Section Chief with Game Fish and Parks

The complex’s South End Range is designed for general public access and will offer free use of several areas, including five 50-yard pistol bays (five lanes each), six 100-yard rifle bays (10 lanes each), a 40-position 200/300-yard rifle range, and indoor archery lanes within the Hunter Education Building. This area will feature shade shelters, vault toilets, and ample parking.

Access to specialized areas will require membership or user fees. These include a dedicated Long Range with twenty lanes featuring positions out to 600 yards, the North End Range’s multiple “action bays” (eleven 50-yard, three 75-yard, three 100-yard) designed for dynamic shooting and training, a versatile training bay, a 10-station stationary clay target area on the South End, and a 12-station sporting clays course on the North End.

South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex Plans Click the link to see and overview of the project from Game Fish and Parks

Kanta also explained that with proximity to Ellsworth Air Force Base, the facility is planned to be used as a training ground for both airmen and public safety officers across the Black Hills. The Shooting Sports Complex is also intended to be a grounds for gun safety training for youth, which Kanta explains is currently done at either the Outdoor Campus in Rapid City, or the outdoor shooting range in Hot Springs.

“That’s one reason we like this property,” Kanta continues, “It’s far enough from Rapid City that we’re not going to be a big disturbance to residents there, or other communities for that matter, but yet close enough.”

Aurora hunters may also benefit from the facility as it’s location has some of the lowest light pollution in the country. Game Fish and Parks does want the public to be aware, however, that the facility will be gated and locked at night, with security cameras installed on the grounds. Nevertheless, Kanta did not rule out extending hours when the stars align, and suggested those interested in catching a glimpse of the auroras to contact Game Fish and Parks when they happen, in order to get special permission to use the facility.

The South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex aligns with Game Fish and Parks goals to Recruit, Retain, and Reactivate outdoor enthusiasts. Officials anticipate the complex will significantly boost shooting sports participation in western South Dakota and tourism for the entire state. For more information on the facility, head to gfp.sd.gov

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – In North Sioux City, South Dakota, a new development broke ground that developers and city officials hope will boost the local workforce and economy.

Union Crossing hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon to celebrate the future of an 80-acre plot of land along Sioux Point Road in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Developers hope it will soon be filled with new housing, businesses, and opportunities for the community.

“Somebody said, ‘If you’re not growing you’re dying,’” said the owner and developer with PBR Capital, Ryan Callaghan. “This project is a catalyst for growth not only for our businesses, but for the school districts, and for Union County in general.”

“Every time someone in this new development shops at a local business, or buys something off of Amazon, that’s more sales tax,” said Andrew Nilges, the executive director for North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation. “There’s going to be a huge tax benefit for the people already living in North Sioux City, and for the city as a whole.”

Phase 1 of this new development will include 46 single-family homes, 35 duplexes, and 7 commercial lots: with potential apartment developments in the future.

The City of North Sioux City was approved for a workforce housing grant by the South Dakota Housing Authority which will help make the new homes more affordable. The cost of a new home are to be capped at $385,000.

“It’s meant for workforce housing, you can’t have big lots and big homes for workforce housing, no one can afford it,” said the VP of the Dakota Valley Business Council, Chris Bogenrief.″ We can finally make a place where employees can afford to live.”

“If you go onto Realtor or Zillow you’ll see what’s available and it’s out of that price range that a young family typically can afford,” said Nilges. “This will be a great opportunity to attract younger families that want to plant roots in our community.”

The city also got Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, funding. Developers say that means local taxpayers won’t be burdened with the cost of development.

“It’s all for the goal of getting the housing prices and lot prices down,” said Callaghan. “Without a TIF, without a grant, it’s very hard to build new single-family and even duplexes and townhomes that are affordably priced.”

The new development has not been without opposition, there have been multiple petitions filed since the beginning of this project wanting to halt the development, most recently following the flooding in June of 2024.

“We hope that this petition does not materialize and that this project starts moving forward in a timely manner so we can start seeing those benefits we’ve been talking about: tax base expansion, the sales tax generation, the opportunities for young families to be a part of our community,” said Nilges

“We can do both,” said Bogenrief. “We can have new development to gain future income for the city to help offset the loans that we’re going to have to take out to help these people. These projects are not mutually exclusive, they can both happen, and the community does also need to step up and take care of those people.”

Barring any delays, developers hope to see homes starting to go up by the end of 2025.

At Monday’s groundbreaking the developer, PBR Capital, announced it will also share 15% of the TIF revenue, up to $1.5 million with the city of North Sioux City.

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