For immediate release:
Date: 6/6/2011
Subject: Nielson Brothers Polling survey of Sioux Falls — Proposed Events Center
Contact information:Â nbpolling@gmail.com, 605 496-0911
Website: HYPERLINK
Arena location is supported by a 2 to 1 margin over downtown site for new events center
A new survey by Nielson Brothers Polling (NBP) shows 40% of Sioux Falls registered voters prefer the arena site for the proposed events center. About half that number (19%) support the downtown location. Another 25% say the center should not be built, with 16% undecided.
While opinions differ little by party, age is a factor. Respondents over 65 show higher numbers of both undecided and opposed. For example, 24% of respondents over 65 are undecided, compared to only 10% of those 65 and under. In addition, 31% of those over 65 are opposed to a new center, compared with 20% of those 65 and under. With regard to location, 45% of respondents 65 and under support the arena site, compared with 33% of those over 65. The downtown location is favored by 25% of those 65 and younger, but by only 11% over 65.
“The arena site has more support but still falls well short of 50 percent,†says Paul Nielson, a partner in NBP. “The 16 percent undecided allows some room for movement, but with a quarter of respondents opposed, advocates for the arena and downtown sites may need to collaborate to make the new center a reality.â€
For this question, NBP surveyed a random selection of 550 Sioux Falls registered voters over a three day period — May 23 to May 25. The margin of error is 4.2 % at a 95% confidence level.
Nielson Brothers Polling will release more findings from its Sioux Falls survey in the next few days — including questions about the Grand Falls Casino, approval ratings for Mayor Huether, and teacher salaries. NBP plans to continue its research and publication of local opinions as a civic resource. Interested parties may contact NBP with regard to questions and answers on past and future surveys. For more information, contact nbpolling@gmail.com, or call 605 496-0911.