Just this week Avera announced it is building a new basketball facility in Sioux Falls, adding to the list of new, large scale construction projects that includes the Denny Sanford Premier Center, the Sanford Basketball Pentagon and the Scheels Iceplex.
Right now, the Arena is about the only place for large events in Sioux Falls; its home to Skyforce Basketball, Stampede Hockey and Storm Football.
All of that will change once the new facilities are completed, leaving many people asking will we still have a need for the more than 50-year-old Arena?
"I think people will find that this venue will be utilized more than what they think just because it's older, we have a new shiny toy down the hall, this is still going to fit the needs of a lot of people," said Arena General Manager Terry Torkildson.
In fact, several regular events have already said they want to stay in the Arena after the events center opens.
"The Shrine Circus wants to stay here. This is a facility that suits their needs," said Torkildson.
Even though the regular athletic teams will move from the Arena, Torkildson says it's not necessarily a bad thing.
"Right now having three resident tenants in this building, we do about 145 event days a year, so we're constantly turning away business," said Torkildson.
"This provides us with a great opportunity to have more events, bigger events, more profitable events," said Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether.
Multiple facilities not only mean opportunities for hosting different events simultaneously, they also give large shows like the Sportsman's show a chance to expand into both facilities.
"When you have two arenas with a convention center in between, it's a pretty unique scenario," said Torkildson.
The 2016 combined state boys and girls basketball tournament has already booked both the Arena and the Premier Center.
"If you can go to one community and watch both of your teams participate over a three day tournament, it's much more cost effective for our fans and much more fan friendly to those who want to go watch both tournaments," said South Dakota High School Activities Executive Director Wayne Carney.
City officials believe the new private sector venues under construction will help draw more of these tournaments and events to Sioux Falls and the Arena.
"I think it's only going to add to what we can do down the road," said Torkildson.
"The private sector, the public sector, investors, developers, they are realizing the potential of Sioux Falls and they want a piece of it, the want to capture it and I'm just loving it," said Mayor Huether.
Over the next few years, Torkildson says he will be analyzing how the Arena is doing and what its future might hold.
Mayor Huether says the Arena is not going anywhere, he believes it's a needed facility that the city will maintain for years to come.
