AUGUST 31, 2023:
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week (Aug. 31, 2023) for the Dakota Events CompleX at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.
Almost three years ago, in the early hours of October 31st, 2020, a fire destroyed the State Fair Open Class Beef Complex. Thanks to State Fair staff, firefighters, and first responders, no people or animals were injured in the fire, but the building was a total loss. The legislature authorized $20 million to build the DEX in 2021 and an additional $9 million earlier this year to ensure that it was ready to open for the 2023 South Dakota State Fair.
“The DEX is a state-of-the-art facility that will position us to better compete for national rodeo and equestrian events. It will provide the city of Huron and the entire state of South Dakota with new opportunities,” said Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden. “Out of adversity, we have found opportunity to grow. The DEX will be a special place. I can’t wait to see all of the memories that families, friends, visitors, and fairgoers will make right here.”
The DEX is a 150,000 square-foot open concept facility. It is capable of housing up to 2,000 head of cattle and allows for indoor regional and national rodeos, equestrian events, and livestock exhibitions.
Courtesy photo.
MAY 17, 2022:
Construction on the DEX: Dakota Events CompleX has begun on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron. The Open Class Sheep Barn was demolished in April 2022 and construction has begun to replace the water main and storm sewer down Livestock Avenue from Grandstand Way south to 2nd Street.
Due to construction activities Livestock Avenue and Gate 4 are closed to traffic. Visitors can access the fairgrounds buildings using Flag Avenue.
The Open Class Sheep Barn was demolished in partnership with Advanced Sunflower who salvaged most of the materials. Built in the early 1950s, over 65 years of world class sheep shows have taken place creating lifelong memories for participants. Generations of South Dakotans have shown in this facility. To make sure the camaraderie, world class shows, and celebrations carry on for generations to come, a task force of sheep industry and fair representatives has been meeting to formulate a plan for what type of facility will be needed to showcase the fair’s world class sheep exhibitors and their breeds.
The DEX is the new multipurpose livestock and equestrian facility replacing the Open Class Beef Complex destroyed by fire in 2020.
The 150,000 square-foot facility will be able to house two, full-sized equestrian arenas, or 1,700 plus cattle stalls and seat up to 5,000 people. The facility will be heated for year-round usage and include a ventilation system to ensure proper air movement. Additionally, to create a positive experience for livestock shows and equestrian events, adequate electrical drops and a variety of access points for water, including water drops throughout the building, will be available.
The DEX will have a pre-function and concession area with restrooms. Future plans also include an enclosable, heated wash rack connected to the DEX.
Project renderings are available at https://www.
Henry Carlson, a Sioux Falls based company, was selected as the construction manager for the project. The prefabricated metal building was ordered in September, with several of the remaining components being bid out in March. While the project has been impacted by increases in construction material costs, as well as delays in construction materials, substantial completion is still on target for June 2023. The DEX construction costs are estimated at $24.6 million.
Due to the demolition of the Open Class Sheep Barn and construction of the DEX, the 2022 Open Class Sheep and Beef Shows will be relocated to the 4-H Livestock Complex.
Courtesy image.
Courtesy image.
The project is being funded through a state – private partnership with the state contributing $16 million. Private support for the DEX has been outstanding with over $6 million pledged to date. However, the fundraising effort continues to help offset increased construction costs and ensure the facility has every amenity in place to hit the ground running in 2023. There are still many great donor opportunities available including interior naming rights and donor wall recognition. In addition, livestock producers can leave their legacy by having their brand on display at the DEX brand wall. The brand wall will be in a highly visible area that can be enjoyed year-round by DEX visitors. If you are interested in participating, please contact the SD State Fair Foundation at 605.353.7340.
If you would like to learn more about the DEX or are interested in contributing to the project, please visit https://www.
FEBRUARY 18, 2022:
Starting in April 2022, construction on the DEX: Dakota Events CompleX will begin on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron. Work will start with the demolition of the Open Class Sheep Barn, followed by utility and ground infrastructure preparation.
The DEX is the new multipurpose livestock and equestrian facility replacing the Open Class Beef Complex destroyed by fire in 2020.
The 150,000 square-foot facility will be able to house two, full-sized equestrian arenas, or 1,700 plus cattle stalls and seat up to 5,000 people. The facility will be heated for year-round usage and include a ventilation system to ensure proper air movement. Additionally, to create a positive experience for livestock shows and equestrian events, adequate electrical drops and a variety of access points for water, including water drops throughout the building, will be available.
The DEX will have a pre-function and concession area with restrooms. The plans also include an enclosable, heated wash rack connected to the DEX.
Henry Carlson, a Sioux Falls based company, was selected as the construction manager for the project. The prefabricated metal building was ordered in September, with several of the remaining components being bid out in March. While the project has been impacted by increases in construction material costs, as well as delays in construction materials, substantial completion is still on target for June 2023. The DEX construction costs are estimated at $22.5 million.
Due to the demolition of the Open Class Sheep Barn and construction of the DEX, the 2022 Open Class Sheep and Beef Shows will be relocated to the 4-H Livestock Complex.
The project is being funded through a state – private partnership with the state contributing $16 million. Private support for the DEX has been outstanding with well over $5 million pledged to date. However, the fundraising effort continues to help offset increased construction costs and ensure the facility has every amenity in place to hit the ground running in 2023. There are still many great donor opportunities available including interior naming rights and donor wall recognition. In addition, livestock producers can leave their legacy by having their brand on display at the DEX brand wall. The brand wall will be in a highly visible area that can be enjoyed year-round by DEX visitors. If you are interested in participating, please contact the SD State Fair Foundation at 605.353.7340.
Engineer’s rendering of the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX).
Image credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Engineer’s rendering of the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX) Nov. 12, 2021.
Image credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Engineer’s rendering of the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX).
Image credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
NOVEMBER 17, 2021:
Plans for the Dakota Events CompleX– or DEX– are taking shape at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.
The DEX is the new multipurpose livestock and equestrian facility replacing the Open Class Beef Complex that was destroyed by fire last year (Oct. 31, 2020). Construction is set to begin in the spring (2022) with substantial completion scheduled for June 2023. A grand opening ceremony will be held at the 2023 State Fair.
The approximately 150,000 square-foot DEX will be able to house two, full-sized equestrian arenas, or 1,700 plus cattle stalls and seat up to 5,000 people, making it a one-of-a-kind venue for hosting local, regional and national events. The DEX will also have a pre-function and concession area, along with restrooms. Construction costs are estimated at $22.5 million.
As part of the DEX project, the Open Class Sheep Barn– which has long outlived its useful life– will be demolished and the Open Class Sheep exhibits will be permanently relocated to the 4-H barns. A task force of sheep industry and fair representatives has been formed to ensure the 4-H barns have everything they need to showcase the fair’s world class sheep and goat exhibitors and their breeds.
Committees will also be established to help identify strategies for showing both open class beef and sheep at the 2022 State Fair due to ongoing construction at the DEX.
Engineer’s rendering of the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX) Nov. 12, 2021.
Image credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The project is being funded through a state–private partnership with the state contributing up to $16 million. Private pledges for the DEX have reached more than $5 million, to date. However, the fundraising effort continues to help offset increased construction costs and ensure the facility has everything in place to be operational in 2023.
There are still many great donor opportunities available including interior naming rights and donor wall recognition. In addition, livestock producers can leave their legacy by having their brand on display at the DEX brand wall. The brand wall will be in a highly visible area that can be enjoyed year-round by DEX visitors. If you are interested in participating, please contact the SD State Fair Foundation at 605.353.7340 or visit https://www.sdstatefairfoundation.com/.
AUGUST 30, 2021:
The South Dakota State Fair will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the DEX: Dakota Events CompleX Thursday (Sept. 2, 2021) at 1:30 PM.
The ceremony will occur on the east side of the FFA Ag Adventure Center on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds.
“We are excited for the many opportunities this new facility will bring to the fair and throughout the year,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “The DEX will be a one-of-a-kind facility and the groundbreaking marks a major step toward project completion.”
The DEX is the new multipurpose livestock and equestrian facility being built to replace the Open Class Beef Complex that was destroyed by fire last year. Demolition of the Beef Complex is complete, and construction will begin immediately following the completion of the 2021 State Fair. The DEX will be up and running in time for the 2022 State Fair.
The event is open to the public (state fair gate admission required).
The 2021 South Dakota State Fair runs Thursday, September 2, through Monday, September 6. Preview night will be Wednesday, September 1.
For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
MARCH 23, 2021:
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has signed Senate Bill 99 into law, which funds the Dakota Events CompleX at the South Dakota State Fair.
“In South Dakota, we see challenges as an opportunity to grow, to build for the future,” said Noem. “The new DEX will be a state-of-the-art facility which will attract regional and national events to Huron. I’m excited for DANR to get to work on this project and to complete the DEX by the 2022 State Fair.”
Noem also signed six other bills pertaining to agriculture and natural resources:
- HB 1038 makes an appropriation from the coordinated natural resources conservation fund to the State Conservation Commission.
- HB 1153 authorizes the Board of Regents to contract for the design and construction of a new dairy research and extension farm on the campus of South Dakota State University.
- HB 1171 makes an appropriation to the State Conservation Commission.
- HB 1210 makes an appropriation to the Board of Regents to provide grant funding for a new bioproducts facility at the research park in Brookings.
- HB 1256 makes an appropriation for the cleanup of the Big Sioux watershed and River.
- HB 1264 makes appropriations for the water and environment fund and its revolving fund subfunds for various water and environmental purposes.
Governor Noem has signed 191 bills into law this legislative session.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
JANUARY 7, 2021:
A fundraising campaign is underway to come up with a portion of the money needed to build a new livestock complex on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.
Interim state Secretary of Agriculture Hunter Roberts says the Beef Complex building burned down in October, leaving the fairgrounds without its busiest facility.
Roberts says the State Fair Foundation’s ‘Discover the DEX’ campaign will hopefully gather the remaining funds needed to build the new Dakota Events CompleX.
The estimated cost of the new multipurpose livestock and equestrian facility is $19 million. To pay for the project, Gov. Kristi Noem is asking the legislature for $12 million in one-time funds, which would be added to the $3 million received in insurance payments from the fire. Roberts says that leaves $4 million to be raised by the State Fair Foundation.
The 200,000 square-foot DEX footprint covers the area where the 96,000 square-foot Beef Complex stood as well as where the 37,000 square-foot Sheep Barn currently stands.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held during the 2021 South Dakota State Fair, with plans for the DEX to be up and running in time for the 2022 State Fair.
For more information on how to donate visit www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
Engineer’s rendering image credit South Dakota State Fair.
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