Group says it has raised $500,000 for soccer complex

Soccer Rapid City representatives report that they have raised more than $500,000 toward the group's share of an estimated $4.5 million, 12-field sports complex in northeast Rapid City.

The group broke ground in November on the project off North Elk Vale Road that was approved for $3.8 million in city Vision funds in 2005. Project officials anticipate the complex will be open by the fall of 2015.

Soccer Rapid City, through its fundraising leg Dakota Fields, ramped up its efforts to secure private funds this past summer after getting a green light in April from the Rapid City Council to move forward.

"There are a couple gifts that will actually be in-kind donations. In lieu of cash, it would be contribution of services or contribution of material," Roger Tellinghuisen, executive director of Dakota Fields, said Monday. "The bulk of it is cash donations."

Aside from gifts and cash, Tellinghuisen said the organization is soliciting donations for naming opportunities at the complex, where fields, scoreboards or gazebos would display the name of a major donor.

Tellinghuisen said the group is remaining secretive at this point in the campaign about the total amount of money they need to raise for the long-discussed facility.

"We're trying to keep that under wraps for a little longer yet," he said. "Let's just say we are making really good progress, but we still have a ways to go."

Soccer Rapid City originally proposed a 21-field complex with an indoor championship arena with a price tag of more than $10 million. Additional fields at the 80-acre, 12-field complex will be added as more funding becomes available.

"We really do appreciate the companies and the people that have stepped up to make these wonderful pledges and donations, and we're anxiously moving forward with this project," Tellinghuisen said.

In a related development, the Rushmore Soccer Club and Rapid City Youth Soccer League have unified into one organization.

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Group says it has raised $500,000 for soccer complex