The South Dakota School of Mines is making a push for a $2.5-million stadium upgrade.
The O’Harra Stadium hosts state track meets and regional college and high school football games.
Heather Wilson is President of the South Dakota School of Mines. She says the upgrades include a new digital scoreboard and billboard. The plan also includes new football turf that is safer for athletes and an upgrade to the running track.
Wilson says the large events at the stadium have a positive economic impact on the community.
“This track is the host every third year for the state high school track meet. And this stadium is full of between five and ten thousand fans for that track meet. Just that meet along more than pays for the cost of the upgrades,” says Wilson.
School of Mines officials are joining with the local public school district and city leaders in a request for money from the Rapid City Vision Fund.
Several other organizations are also seekingfunding for separate projects from the Vision Fund.
If the O’Harra stadium funding is approved officials hope to have the upgrades complete by the 2018 state track meet.