South Dakota rallies around $98M 'Children's Campus' in northwest Sioux Falls

LifeScape touts project support as plans for 185,000-square-foot complex embraced across state

A $100-million dream is coming to fruition for a South Dakota nonprofit that serves children and adults with disabilities.

Officials with LifeScape, the state’s largest community support provider, have announced a groundbreaking ceremony for a 185,000-square-foot “Children’s Campus” later this month at a 10-acre site in northwest Sioux Falls. The milestone comes as fundraising efforts to support the organization’s vision of a specialty hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, specialty school and outpatient services have eclipsed $86 million.

“The Journey of Hope Campaign has been a wonderful opportunity to truly put a spotlight on the services LifeScape offers for children with medically complex diagnoses, developmental disabilities, Autism, and more,” said Jessica Wells, president of the LifeScape Foundation.

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The Foundation touts contributions to the project from donors hailing from nearly 150 South Dakota cities and towns, an $8 million endorsement from the South Dakota Legislature, and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, which aims to raise $1.8 million by July as part of its Community Appeals Campaign programming in support of LifeScape’s $98 million project.

That level of support is indicative of the region’s need for community support services, LifeScape CEO Steve Watkins said.