Madison, S.D. -- The South Dakota Board of Regents has given the approval to the University of South Dakota to move forward with the first step in developing detailed plans for a new basketball/volleyball arena, renovations to the DakotaDome and a new track and soccer complex. The approval came Wednesday at a Board of Regents meeting in Madison, S.D.

"I want to thank the Board of Regents for allowing us to further study a new arena, Dakota Dome Renovations and an outdoor track and soccer complex," South Dakota athletic director David Sayler said. "It feels good to have this first step approved, but we have a long way to go and a lot of money to raise before any part of the project becomes a reality."

South Dakota has developed a 2015 Master Plan for Athletic Facilities. Included in Phase 1 of the plan is a 6,000-seat basketball and volleyball arena, which will be connected to the south side of the DakotaDome. The facility will include a new competition court, three practice courts, a new student-athlete academic center and computer lab, locker rooms for men's and women's basketball and volleyball, new administrative offices and coaching offices, a new athletic training room and 14 luxury boxes/suites.

"I know David Sayler has worked very hard on this proposal," South Dakota men's basketball coach Dave Boots said. "It's going to be a fantastic facility for men's and women's basketball and volleyball. It's a win-win for everybody."

"It's a much-needed facility for Coyote basketball," South Dakota women's basketball coach Ryun Williams said. "We're excited that we're moving forward with this after getting the approval Wednesday to study the project further."

Included in Phase 2 of the master plan are renovations to the DakotaDome, which include a new playing surface, an expanded football locker room, additional seating in both the end zone and west side of the dome, new suites and new concession stands and restrooms. Seating capacity would be increased to 16,000 for football.

Phase 3A of the master plan is a nine-lane, 400-meter outdoor track, which would include four pole vault boxes, four long jump pits and a hammer and discus cage. Phase 3B includes a new soccer competition field and four sets of team shelters. Track and soccer would share part of the facility, including a 1,000-seat bleacher system, an enclosed press box and 2 large restrooms.

During the planning stages, South Dakota school officials can develop cost estimates and other location drawings. Once those steps are completed, the Board of Regents and ultimately the South Dakota Legislature must provide final approval for the projects.

"Once a building committee is formed and an architect is hired, we can really get down to programming the space involved and getting a cost estimate put in place," Sayler said. "The ability to study this further with an architectural firm will be invaluable for us and I am excited to get that process started as soon as we can."

The money for the project will not come from the state's general fund or other operating revenues of the universities but will be privately raised.

"Now more than ever, it is critical for all Coyote fans to support this project in any way they can," Sayler said. "That support can come in many ways but the coming years will be critical for the future of this athletic department and whether the support comes in the fashion of increased Howling Pack support, a Great Expectations scholarship or an actual gift to the new facility projects - it all will make a big difference in transforming the South Dakota athletic department."

"It is the board's clear expectation that private donations and sponsorships will pay the full cost of constructing these facilities, if they are approved," said Jack Warner, the regents' executive director and CEO. "Additionally, we expect ongoing operating costs to be supported by athletic revenues, such as ticket sales and advertising."

The 2015 South Dakota Master Plan can be found at the link above.

"There are not many projects in athletics that come along which are as galvanizing to everyone involved as this one is," Sayler said. "It truly will make a huge impact on our department, the entire University and the City of Vermillion."