Make no mistake, a facility like this is well overdue in Sioux Falls. I suggested years ago when the State Theatre renovation begun that is what they should have done with the place. It fell on deaf ears of course. Trust me, it will probably be at least a year or two before ‘The District’ turns a profit, but the location and the concept will sell well.
So the bigger question is how will this affect other entertainment facilities in our city who have had this potential since their inception (Orpheum, Pavilion, Convention Center). While the Orpheum has been the most ‘liberal’ with the kind of entertainment allowed in the facility, many have wondered why the Pavilion hasn’t cashed in on more rock and country concerts?
‘The District’s’ success or failure will be very telling. If they are successful as a private convention center, we will be forced to finally ask the Pavilion – what have you been doing WRONG? If they are unsuccessful, maybe we can say the Pavilion was right to not host these kind of events all along, or maybe Sioux Falls isn’t large enough to support such a concert hall.
Time will tell, but I have a hunch the community is ready for such a facility, and it is long overdue.