Construction will begin in April on the DEX or Dakota Events CompleX on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.  It starts with the demolition of the Open Class Sheep Barn, followed by utility and ground infrastructure preparation.  South Dakota Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Hunter Roberts says with the delays in securing construction materials the DEX is on target to be completed for the fair in 2023.

The 150,000 square-foot facility will be multipurpose and heated for year-round usage.  He says they’ve had a successful fundraising effort to support the DEX which has estimated an construction cost of $22.5 million.

However, with the increase in construction material costs they are continuing to raise funds for the project.

Those dollars also ensure the facility has every amenity in place to hit the ground running in 2023.

Due to the demolition of the Open Class Sheep Barn and construction of the DEX, the 2022 Open Class Sheep and Beef Shows will be relocated to the 4-H Livestock Complex.