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In the last decade, I do not think there has been a better idea for a basketball arena theme/design then the relatively new Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. The Pentagon is a massive basketball facility indeed shaped like the name says and a total of nine basketball courts are available. At it’s center is “Heritage Court”, with 3,200 seats on four sides and a decent mix of suites and boxes. The beauty of the arena is how it pays homage to the olden days of basketball. Windows let in outdoor light, the floor is an exquisite parquet (with an outline of the 1950s-style skinny key) and the best part is the old-school time clock. Modern amenities mix with these older touches very well and the goal of what they were trying to do is quite successful. They were also looking to become a center of basketball events and Sioux Falls is quickly getting there. In addition to being home to the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBDL, the Pentagon has hosted some decent early-season Division I basketball games and the Women’s Division II National Championship is coming this March. Expect more events in future years.
Sioux Falls has turned into a hot little spot to pick up a bunch of stadium visits in one weekend. Along with seeing the Pentagon, fans can check out the brand new 10,450-seat Danny Sanford Premier Center for a hockey game with the Stampede. Meanwhile, the older facility it replaced (Sioux Falls Arena) is still being used by Augustana College for basketball. That’s three winter arenas and for the really ambitious, Sioux City and the USHL’s Musketeers are a little over an hour south down on I-29.
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Stadium and Arena Visits 