Welcome to the September 2025 edition of the Sports ETA Facility Showcase! This month, we are featuring The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota. Keep reading to the end for the “Key Difference Maker” as this insight can add perspective to your own facility.
Why is The Monument Important to Rapid City
According to our partners, the Rapid City Sports Commission in Rapid City, The Monument is the centerpiece of live sports and entertainment in western South Dakota. It serves as a hub for community connection, regional tourism, and local traditions. From Rapid City Rush hockey and high school tournaments to national touring acts, The Monument provides the stage where memories are created and shared.
The Monument contributes tens of millions of dollars annually to Rapid City’s economy. Visitors attending games, concerts, and tournaments generate hotel stays, restaurant business, and retail activity that ripple across the region. The most recent study, completed in 2022, measured The Monument’s economic impact at $131.3 million, a figure that has only grown in the years since.
Behind the Scenes
The Monument welcomes over half a million visitors annually, ranging from local residents to out-of-state travelers. This steady flow of guests keeps the venue vibrant and supports the broader regional economy.
Recent upgrades include energy-efficient LED lighting in the Ice Arena, enhanced player safety through dasher board retrofits, and new guest service models designed to elevate the fan experience. Summit Arena itself reflects innovation, with advanced rigging capacity, quick-change loading docks, and adaptable seating to accommodate events from 3,000 to 11,000 attendees.
Success Stories
The Monument hosts a wide range of events, including state championships, the Lakota Nation Invitational, the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo & Rodeo Rapid City along with record-breaking concerts by artists like Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen. Each showcases the facility’s flexibility and the dedication of its staff. 
A recent example came in 2025, when the AAU State Wrestling Tournament was relocated from the Ice Arena to Summit Arena. This was made possible through a partnership with the Black Hills Home Builders Association, who adjusted their scheduling to ensure success for both the Home Show and the tournament. The move expanded the competition floor, increased spectator seating, and improved traffic flow, a strong example of community collaboration at its best.
Another area of success has been the expansion of their nonprofit group program, which gives local clubs and organizations the opportunity to fundraise while working in various roles at The Monument, from ticket scanning to concessions. Since the opening of Summit Arena, the program has grown to support an average of 50 clubs annually, raising an average of $148,000 each year. By comparison, in the five years prior to Summit Arena, the program averaged 26 clubs annually raising just over $50,000 per year. This growth reflects both increased community involvement and the ability of The Monument to provide meaningful opportunities for local organizations.
Design Innovations
For nearly 50 years, The Monument’s footprint has expanded through multiple additions, each designed to feel intentional and cohesive. With the Summit Arena, the goal was to create a venue that is both modern and highly functional. Special focus was placed on operational features that aren’t always visible to the public — including loading docks, catering spaces, locker rooms, and hospitality areas — while limiting exterior windows to enhance the bowl effect.
The final design balances innovation with tradition, incorporating a façade pattern reminiscent of the original brickwork and streamlining the structure with a 50% reduction in exterior windows from the initial concepts. The result is a venue that respects its history while meeting today’s needs.
Community Engagement & Unique Experiences
What has been the community's response? The response to the Summit Arena has been overwhelmingly positive. Locals take pride in having a first-class facility in their community, while visitors consistently remark on the hospitality and warmth of the Rapid City area. The Monument has become a symbol of growth, opportunity, and possibility for the region.
Athletes and visitors can expect modern facilities, professional service, and a memorable atmosphere. From premium seating options and state-of-the-art amenities in the Summit Arena to welcoming hospitality across the complex, The Monument ensures that every experience feels special, whether competing on the court or cheering from the stands.
Sustainability, Future Growth and Impact
The Monument complex is committed to sustainability where it is practical and impactful. Initiatives include LED lighting conversions, energy-efficient compressors, ice banks for cooling in Summit Arena, and ongoing efforts to reduce waste. Their aim is to balance hosting world-class events with responsible stewardship of resources.
The Monument will continue to evolve alongside Rapid City’s growth. While they are not planning any new buildings, they continue to explore enhancements to improve fan amenities, expand hospitality options, and strengthen their role as a premier regional destination.
Equally important, they are excited about community growth beyond their walls, including the development of the Rapid City Sports Complex, and look forward to how they can complement those efforts to expand opportunities for youth sports, events, and entertainment in the region.
KEY DIFFERENCE MAKER: “Evolving Alongside a Destinations Growth”
Facilities, such as the Monument, can not only be a great partner for the community but also an economic driver that brings visitors to the region. As you read, this campus has been evolving for over 50 years. They take great care to be true to their regional roots and that is reflected in how they operate and the events they host at the Monument.
Take a page out of their book and find ways to allow your facility to create and maintain ties with community groups by allowing them to work while raising funds for their organization. I would dare say that some of the best fans come from the community as well as those that travel to Rapid City for sporting events.
How has your facility or destination evolved alongside their destination’s culture?
Is your facility a reflection of your community like the Monument in Rapid City?
What innovative upgrades are planned to continue allowing your facility to service your community and region?
A huge thanks to Tia Troy and Prisilla Dominguez, our partners in Rapid City, for the amazing content.
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Want to showcase a facility in your destination?
Contact: Vince Trinidad at Vince@SportsETA.org
Miss a previous Facility Showcase? Check them out here!