Blue Rock Bar and Grill has been open for less than a month, and it’s already started giving back to the Sioux Falls community.
The new multifaceted restaurant at the Sanford Sports Complex ties philanthropy into its ongoing business and its grand opening celebration.
“We really wanted to bring that connection between Sanford and the community to life. It is a way for us to bring people together for a good cause and give back to the great people of Sioux Falls and the Sanford community,” said Julie Coleman, director of food and beverage at the Sanford Sports Complex.
Every Monday, Blue Rock will donate 10 percent of all purchases to a local charity. The benefiting charity will rotate on a regular basis — every two to three months. First up: Warriors Never Give Up. Warriors Never Give Up (WNGU) is a volunteer nonprofit organization that offers outdoor adventures for combat, deployed or service-connected disabled veterans.
The main purpose of the WNGU Foundation is to help veterans of the uniformed military services integrate into society upon return from service. Some veterans experience difficulties with life’s everyday challenges. Whether those are physical, mental or spiritual challenges, WNGU provides veterans with a variety of programs that include hunting, fishing, recreational and volunteer experiences.
“In the past two years while serving as one of the board of directors and volunteering for WNGU for numerous events, I have personally witnessed numerous life-changing events and healing amongst the hundreds of participants,” said Capt. Paul Weckman, who is involved with WNGU and is Sanford Health’s head of diversity, inclusion and military veteran support services.
Grand opening will show off venue
Blue Rock opened March 1 after an extensive build-out and thoughtful design process. The restaurant has seating for more than 400, with four different themes throughout. A series of garage doors can open to let in fresh air when the weather allows. The extensive menu has been refined by renowned local chef Bradley Herr. It ranges from traditional sports-bar food such as wings to more upscale features like duck.
March 30 is an ideal time to check it all out. An all-day celebration will feature a handful of live musical acts, plus hourly prizes and a major raffle to benefit Sanford Children’s Miracle Network.
The grand prize: A one-year lease on a blue Volkswagen Beetle with a $2,500 gas card. Other prizes include tickets to a variety of sports and entertainment events and sports memorabilia autographed by famous athletes.
Raffle tickets cost $5 each, or $10 for three. All of the proceeds go to CMN.
CMN ensures that no child suffering from an illness will be denied care because of an inability to pay. All the money raised stays local to help area children.
“We can’t do what we do in terms of helping kids and their families without donations from generous individuals and businesses,” said Erin Sanderson, CMN program director. “It’s awesome to be able to add Blue Rock to our network of supporters.”
Bustling already
On March 20, Blue Rock hosted a kickoff luncheon for the year 20 of Legends for Kids, a local charity that has raised more than $2 million for local youth organizations. A ribbon cutting with the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce followed March 21.
And the week of March 25 will be a week of celebrations with the grand opening, daily specials and happy hours with some samples. It’s a destination venue created for good times and good causes.
“The restaurant industry is all about community and people,” Coleman said. “We can’t wait to welcome more new guests into this incredible new space.”
Blue Rock grand opening
What: Grand opening celebration for Blue Rock Bar and Grill
When: March 30
Entertainment: Noon to 1 a.m. in the Tailgate and Lodge areas
Serving: Food and drink samplings throughout the day
Raffle: $5 for one ticket or $10 for three tickets, available for sale at Blue Rock from March 25-30
Raffle prizes:
Grand prize: A one-year, 7,500-mile lease on a blue Volkswagen Beetle convertible plus a $2,500 gas card
Other prizes: Tickets to the Argus Leader All-Sports Awards featuring Kirk Cousins, tickets to LFA 64, tickets to Sanford International PGA TOUR Champions tournament, tickets to a Minnesota Twins game and autographed items. Every 30 minutes, a patron will be chosen to spin the prize wheel.
Need not be present to win. Must be 18 or older. Subject to verification. Grand prize taxable value is $12,761.68. Additional rules apply. See complete rules at BlueRockBarAndGrill.com.
More Sanford Sports Complex news
- MMA returning to Sanford Pentagon in April for LFA 64
- Augustana to play home conference games at Pentagon
- Sanford Health breaks ground on new clinic at sports complex
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Posted In News, Non-Clinical Support Services
