The new Watertown Vehicle Maintenance Shop is a state-of-the-art facility to support field-level maintenance, repairs, and technical inspections for ground vehicle, equipment, and weapons systems of the 147^th Field Artillery. It consists of three areas: administrative, maintenance bays, and support spaces.

The 5,400-square-foot administration area will include offices for facility management as well as a 1,300-square-foot break room that will also function as a classroom for presentations and training. The support spaces make up the rest of the building’s core and will allow for central access to supply and large tool storage areas in addition to dedicated rooms for lubrication and battery storage. The facility will have a bay to support washing and warm-up operations for maintenance during the toughest weather conditions.

Maintenance work bays will make up the largest portion of the facility, with four full-length work bays and an extended-length work bay to accommodate longer vehicles in the South Dakota National Guard’s fleet. At 14,800 square feet, the work bays will accommodate tall equipment and will feature two overhead cranes for moving and managing heavy parts within the building.

The facility was designed with flexibility in mind to ensure the highest levels of equipment readiness and support for future state and federal missions of the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Parking at the facility will connect to existing parking at the adjacent National Guard Readiness Center.

Construction began in May 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.