VERMILLION, SD -- The South Dakota Board of Regents authorized the University of South Dakota to move forward on three major campus projects: the USD Sports Performance Enhancement Facility Arena and Outdoor Track and Soccer Complex, the USD Science, Health and Research Lab, and the expansion of the Muenster University Center.

All three projects, totaling more than $70 million, were approved by the Board of Regents during a meeting on the USD campus this week. The Sports Performance Enhancement Facility includes a 6,000-seat arena for basketball and volleyball, and an outdoor track and soccer complex. The Science, Health and Research Lab Building, which will connect the DakotaDome with the new arena, will accommodate occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician's assistant, kinesiology and sports sciences. Together, these two facilities total $58.8 million and will transform the DakotaDome and surrounding area into a unique Division I athletic and academic complex.

"This is a great day for Coyote Athletics as all of the things we brought forward to the Board of Regents were approved for the next phase. We're grateful for the regents' support allowing us to take the next step and move forward with these athletic and academic projects." said USD Athletic Director David Sayler. "But we're not done. Now is the time for Coyote fans to step up and pledge their support to ensure that these projects are completed."

The Science, Health and Research Lab was approved by the legislature in 2012, and USD's final step in the approval process before construction of the Sports Performance Enhancement Facility and Outdoor Track and Soccer Complex lies with state legislators. University officials will make a presentation for those facilities in Pierre before state lawmakers in January.

Additionally, the Board of Regents granted final authorization for USD to move forward on an $11.6 million expansion of the Muenster University Center. The MUC, completed in 2009, would increase its present size from 70,000 square feet to an additional 30,000 square feet to improve campus dining options for USD students. Construction on the expansion is already underway.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota

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