Aug. 26, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. -- - The University of South Dakota has awarded a contract to a design-build team led by Harris Construction of Lawrence, Kan., to replace the roof on the DakotaDome. Harris will begin on-site work next April. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of August, 2001.

The new rigid insulated steel roof replaces an air-inflated fabric roof on the DakotaDome since its construction in 1978. The new roof will last the life of the DakotaDome and will reduce electrical consumption by approximately 5 million kilowatt-hours per year.

Joining Harris Construction on the design-build team will be Ddy Architects, Martin Harper & Associates, Inc., Structural Engineers, and Havens Steel, Steel Fabricators and Erectors, all of Kansas City, Mo. The team brings worldwide experience in the design and construction of dome-shaped roofs. Team members have worked on the Olympic 2000 Dome in Sydney, Australia and the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minn.

The base bid roof replacement contract and project contingency total $11,148, 211. Initial estimates projected a cost of $11,505,000. A budget of $10,505,000 was approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents last May, including a state appropriation of $4,000,000 and $6,505,000 in bonds to be paid by the University of South Dakota with student fees, Dome gate receipts, and utility savings. Additional funds to complete the project were provided by the University of South Dakota Foundation.

For further information, contact Greg Redlin at USD, 677-5661.