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Press Release

(June 22, 2015, Lead, S.D.)—A building dedication and grand opening for the new Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at 11 a.m.  The ceremony will take place on the observation deck at the new facility, 160 W. Main St. in Lead.  In the event of inclement weather, the dedication will be moved inside.

The new 8,000-square-foot Visitor Center includes a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall that tells the story of Lead, including the discovery and mining of gold at the Homestake Gold Mine, the ethnic groups who came to work for Homestake, and the transformation of the Homestake Mine into a world-leading underground research facility. The building also includes retail space, a classroom, and an observation deck that offers an astonishing view of the Open Cut. The exhibits feature a 3-D model of the Homestake Mine, from the surface to the 8,000-foot level; a simulated cage ride; historic photos; videos; and stories about Homestake Mine, the City of Lead, and Sanford Lab.

Dignitaries attending the event include Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who will be the keynote speaker; Mr. T. Denny Sanford; and Sen. Mike Rounds. The building dedication is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Officials will be available from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. for questions from the press at the Visitor Center.  

Please contact Communications Director Constance Walter by phone or email if you plan to attend this event. 

Notes on the Building:

Architect: Dangermond/Keane Architects

Construction Management: Ainsworth-Benning Inc.

Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering: TSP Inc.

Structural Engineering: Albertson Engineering Inc.

Exhibit designers and fabricators

C&G Partners

SITU Fabrication

RBH Media

Formations

Dakota Lapse

Sanford Underground Research Facility

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The Sanford Underground Research Facility’s mission is to enable safe and compelling underground research and to foster transformational science education. For more information, please visit www.SanfordLab.org.

 

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