Tea City Considers Building Indoor Sports Complex to Boost Tourism and Economy

The City of Tea in South Dakota is considering the construction of an 85,000-square-foot multipurpose indoor sports complex to attract sports enthusiasts and tourists to the area. The feasibility report, prepared by Pinnacle Indoor Sports, outlines the potential features of the facility, including convertible hard court spaces for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and more, as well as a synthetic turf field and an elevated walking track.

The proposed location for the sports complex is behind the Casey’s at Interstate 29 and Lincoln County Highway 106, with room for future expansion to accommodate additional sports surfaces. Pinnacle’s analysis identified Tea as a high-demand market for such a facility, citing the area’s growing population of children and young adults who would benefit from the recreational and competitive opportunities provided by the complex.

The economic impact of the sports complex is expected to be significant, with projected visitor spending exceeding $318.9 million over the next 20 years. The facility could also create over 200 permanent jobs and generate $6.8 million in annual household earnings in the surrounding counties.

While the primary focus of the complex is sports, Pinnacle envisions a wide range of events and revenue opportunities, including sports training programs, food service events, parties, facility rentals, retail events, and corporate partnerships. The potential benefits extend beyond sports, with the facility serving as a catalyst for community development and attracting new residents and businesses to the area.

The Tea City Council has yet to take action on the proposal, but the detailed feasibility report is available for review, highlighting the potential for Tea to become a hub for sports tourism in the region.