Sanford Sports Complex

Sioux Falls, SD | Sports + Recreation

The ISG Sports + Recreation team led the monumental design, construction documentation, and permitting endeavor for the Sanford Sports Complex, which encompassed a total of 18 synthetic turf fields across a 173-acre canvas. At the time, the Sanford Sports Complex was one of the largest active artificial turf projects in the U.S. and projections estimated over 1 million new visitors over five years for tournaments, sports training programs, and league play. The complex included five baseball fields and five softball fields eventually known as The Diamonds, and 10 soccer/lacrosse/multipurpose fields known as The Crossing. Fan amenities included three restroom and concessions buildings, over 900 parking spaces, shade structures, lighting, special pavements, bleacher seating, native landscaping, and unique seating berms creating one of the most sought-after outdoor athletic complexes in the Midwest.

To help Ownership recognize that their desired sports complex was in reach, ISG provided two crucial pieces that sealed the deal. First, the ISG sports design group provided an innovative earthwork strategy slashing the original preliminary earthwork estimate from $16 million to $3 million making the project financially attainable. Second, the ISG visualization team created stunning realistic 3D concept renderings that had Ownership and potential donors convinced that the Sanford Sports Complex was an absolute must.

Initial project planning estimated a 12-month design and permitting schedule which did not line up with opening day in the eyes of Ownership. ISG developed two separate bid packages and ran all permitting concurrently allowing the contractor to start moving dirt, over 234,000 cubic yards, a mere three months from the project kickoff meeting. The remaining construction documents were completed three months after the groundbreaking—half the time of the estimated project design schedule. The project required over 60 ISG employees spanning eight offices and represented all professional disciplines, making this truly a full-service project.