The view from Sioux Falls

http://www.argusleader.com/story/opinion/columnists/stu-whitney/2015/02/18/whitney-rapid-city-arena-plan-seems-farfetched/23640891/

"For nostalgia buffs, this east-west facility battle harkens back to 1972, when Rapid City approved a referendum to increase sales tax to pay for a new arena that could lure state basketball tournaments, which had been held exclusively in Sioux Falls since 1965 and were held out west only once before that.
City efforts ultimately led to the opening of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in 1977, with late-era Elvis Presley playing the first concert and the big-school (then Class A) basketball tournament arriving the following year.
Since three-class basketball was adopted in 1985-86, Sioux Falls and Rapid City have rotated Class AA and A boys tournaments while waiting for the next facility shuffle, which occurred when Sioux Falls voters finally grew tired of an arena that was built in 1961.
Now Rapid City's arena is faltering, with city officials claiming it will cost "at least $70 million" to resolve violations of the American with Disabilities Act involving elevators, stairways, restrooms and railings. For several years, the narrative was that an anonymous complaint had been filed against the city, leading to a federal inspection and ADA settlement.
But at a news conference last week, city attorney Joel Landeen revealed in a Perry Mason moment that there actually was no complaint, providing fuel to project opponents who want to study the issue further to find a less costly means of moving ahead.
Just as Sioux Falls settled for a 12,000-seat capacity arena to keep the price palatable for voters ($173 million if you count interest), it would make sense for Rapid City to explore less grandiose ways to revamp its sports and entertainment center."

This is a thoughtful piece that gives another perspective on just what events might come to Rapid City if a larger facility is built.  Proponents should think long and hard about this question; what if you build it and they don't come?