South Dakota National Park Getting Elevator Rebuild

Wind Cave National Park in southwest South Dakota will suspend cave tours on May 1 to accommodate a “complete overhaul of the elevator system,” which has been problematic for several years due to its aging components, the South Dakota Searchlight reports. Over the past five years, tours have been canceled on several occasions due to the elevator system, which has parts dating back to the 1930s, and many repairs have taken place over the years. This will be the first complete elevator rebuild, and work is expected to last into the fall. PKD Inc. of Texas was hired for the work with a cost just under US$2 million. Funding is coming from a national account funded by fees collected at parks across the country. “We’re excited to finally be able to completely rebuild the old elevators, including replacement of the cabs, motors, cables and electrical equipment,” said Wind Cave National Park Superintendent Leigh Welling. The elevator system provides access to the cave for approximately 130,000 visitors annually.