We are thrilled to share with you a momentous occasion in the life of our university—the commencement of a significant fundraising campaign aimed at revitalizing two pivotal facilities on our campus: the Agriculture Building and the Indoor Rodeo Arena. This transformative project represents a bold step forward in our commitment to providing exceptional educational and extracurricular experiences for our students and community.
The renovation project for the Agriculture Building and Indoor Rodeo Arena is supported by a substantial investment from the North Dakota Legislature. During the last session, the Legislature allocated a remarkable $18 million towards this transformative endeavor, underscoring their commitment to investing in the future of Dickinson State University and the broader community. This legislative commitment carries a 5% local match requirement, so the DSU Heritage Foundation will have to raise $900,000 to unlock the $18 million overall state commitment.
This significant funding injection not only highlights the importance of these facilities to our state, but also reinforces our shared vision of providing world-class educational and recreational opportunities for our students and community members, including youth. With the combined support of our legislative partners, community institutions, and university stakeholders, we are poised to embark on a journey of innovation and excellence that will elevate Dickinson State University to new heights of distinction and impact in agriculture, a key part of our region.
This project has two very related, but different, aspects to it. The sequence of how it will be carried out will follow suit. Approximately $7 million of the $18 million will go toward an overdue renovation of the “bricks and mortor” of the DSU Ag Building, along with land and site improvements. Due to the foundational significance of agriculture in our area, our Agriculture Building is a cornerstone of our academic offerings.
The revitalized facility will feature state-of-the-art teaching spaces and cutting-edge technology, providing our agriculture majors with an unparalleled learning environment. From animal science to agronomy, the upgraded Agriculture Building will serve as a nexus of innovation and discovery, empowering our students to tackle the complex challenges facing the agricultural industry today and in the future. Already, our Ag students do us proud every semester with their senior research projects. With the updated facilities, they will continue and even build on these efforts.
In addition, we expect to spend about $11 million of the $18 million on a comprehensive overhaul of our Indoor Rodeo Arena. This much-needed upgrade will not only modernize the arena but also expand its capabilities, transforming it into a versatile space capable of hosting a wide array of events, including rodeo competitions, community gatherings, and perhaps even concerts. This investment underscores our dedication to creating a dynamic campus environment that serves as a hub of cultural and recreational activities for our students and the broader community alike.
Fortunately, we will not be starting completely from scratch. By using major positions of th existing, but now quite outdated, facility, we will be able to stretch the $11 million dollar investment into a much nicer building than we could build from the ground up. The renovated arena will be much larger, to be sure, which will allow both DSU and the community to much more inside it.
The renovation of the indoor rodeo arena holds special significance for our student-athletes who participate in one of the oldest sports in the West. But rodeo, at least for those of us blessed to live in the west, is more than just a sport; it is a cherished tradition deeply ingrained in our cultural heritage. By providing a top-notch competition space, we are not only honoring this tradition but also ensuring that our student-athletes have the necessary infrastructure to compete at the highest level. This investment reaffirms our commitment to supporting the holistic development of our student-athletes, fostering their growth both inside and outside the arena.
So why are we launching a fundraising campaign, if the state has already invested $18 million? Because we can turn what would be a solid, though limited, facility into something that could attract top-notch rodeos and other events for our community. Without extra support, the revamped arena will not have a warm-up area for horses and other livestock. We cannot expect those who have invested many thousands of dollars to take their prized animals directly from the cold of a North Dakota winter into a competition arena.
Also, if addition fundraising is successful, we can increase the bleacher seating capacity from 600 to 800, replace the now well-worn yellow siding with a new grey (with blue accents) exterior, enclose all stock pens, and perhaps even add a viewing deck that could make the arena more attractive for major events.
None of this will be possible without the continuing support and collaboration of our community. A project of this magnitude requires a collective effort, and I am immensely grateful for the generosity and dedication of our donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Dickinson State University. Of course, our first thanks goes to the legislature, who helped us launch this endeavor by allocating precious taxpayer resources into our community. We don’t take for granted that North Dakota's citizens are providing these resources, and we sincerely thank you. The contributions of our stakeholders are not just financial; they are a testament to the enduring spirit of partnership that defines our institution.
Let’s remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we will create a future where your DSU continues to thrive as a beacon of learning, discovery, and community engagement.
In the renovated Ag Building and Arena, the Hawks will definitely be up!