Event Center Construction On Schedule

by Joel Young, Meteorologist/Reporter
October 24, 2012 6:14 PM


Over the past few months, construction has been virtually non-stop at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

Construction began this past July, and Wednesday; we had the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the construction site from atop the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

While we were there, we spoke with site supervisor, Brian Boe, who says as of now; everything seems to be going as scheduled.

“We got all the site utilities going on inside the fence. We have a lot of the footings in already. The deep pilings, which are bedrock there, are going in just fine. So it’s moving,” says Boe.

Even though everything is on schedule, as of now; once winter kicks in, you can imagine that things will kind of slow down. But officials say that concrete will be poured under a plastic covering allowing things to go smoothly through the winter.

“Once we get into the winter, we’re provided heat because we know we’re not going to take any breaks through the winter months,” says Mark Cotter, director of public works.

Of course, this is key in making sure everything stays on schedule.

“Over the course of the next four and a half to five weeks, the footings and foundations will get wrapped up, and then right after the first of the year; we’ll see the steel get erected,” says Cotter.

According to Boe, we'll start to see the roof trusses constructed soon after the building begins to go up vertically.

“We should be enclosed, meaning sheeting, most of the metal panels on, and the main roof by this time next year,” says Boe.

Making the T. Denny Sanford PREMIER center that much closer to becoming a reality with the change of each season.

According to officials, the event center plans to open its doors by the Fall of 2014.