Highest portion of roof placed at Silver Dollar City Resort site

Crews are making headway on the 262-room Silver Dollar City Resort under construction on park grounds, as marked at a crowning ceremony March 13.

As invited guests – described as community and media partners – observed, a crane lifted a section of rooftop to the building’s topmost point, with fireworks marking its successful placement.

The resort is set to open in 2027, though SDC officials declined to specify a date or a season. In September 2025 Springfield Business Journal reporting, SDC officials were anticipating a late 2026 opening. No reason was given for the extended timeline.

“We’re encouraged by the mild winter we had, which has given crews an opportunity to really gain ground on deadlines,” said Brandei Clifton, senior publicity manager for SDC.

The resort is the first project in a 10-year, half-billion-dollar development plan for the theme park and resort. SDC officials say door-to-door transportation will be offered between the theme park and the resort, and guests will receive expedited ride access and other benefits yet to be announced.

From the podium, Clifton described the crowning ceremony as a historic and significant moment in the history of Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts.

“We moved a mountain, y’all,” she said.

Clifton added that the project is coming along as the first part of the planned investment.

“That reflects our belief in this region, in this community, and the belief in the families who have yet to arrive to create memories worth repeating right here,” she said.

In an email today, Clifton stressed that the project includes mostly local contractors, with 95% of workers living in surrounding counties. D&S Builders LLC of Sevierville, Tennessee, and CAGE Building Group LLC of Gallatin, Tennessee, are the hospitality contractor and construction company, respectively, and Clifton listed other companies contributing: 417 Lumber LLC, Squires; AAA Concrete Pumping LLC, Nixa; Bill's Electric Inc., Webb City; Blevins Masonry LLC, Springfield; Branson Crane Service Inc., Branson; Conco Cos., Springfield; Doing Steel Fabrication LLC, Springfield; Emery Sapp & Sons Inc., Columbia; EquipmentShare Build LLC, St. Louis; Gold Mechanical Inc., Springfield; Great River Engineering Inc., Springfield; Kingdom Krafters LLC, Springfield; M&W Glass Inc., Atoka, Tennessee; Mainline Fire Protection, Jefferson City; MaxTrue Fireproofing Co., Tulsa, Oklahoma; Ozark Crane Services Inc., Carthage; Reeds Spring Ready Mix LLC, Reeds Spring; Southern Supply Co., Springfield; Superior Fence & Rail, Springfield; and White Cap Supply Holdings LLC, Springfield.

Rabun Architects Inc., based in Atlanta, is the project architect, according to past SBJ reporting.

Clifton said the project plans have stayed consistent, and soon pools will be poured and drywall will be installed as work advances.

In a news release, Brad Thomas, president of SDC Parks & Resorts, echoed Clifton’s enthusiasm.

“This resort reflects Herschend’s belief in Silver Dollar City and the continued growth of tourism in the Ozarks,” said Thomas, referring to Herschend Enterprises, which operates SDC. “Set among the beauty of the Ozarks, this resort will help grow visitation to Silver Dollar City and the Table Rock Lake region for years to come.”

William Doyle, Herschend senior vice president of hospitality, addressed the crowning ceremony crowd to say that the project defines what a great resort is.

“A great resort at its core is built somewhere special. I think we can all agree that this spot on Earth is pretty darn special,” he said.

Other contributing factors to a great resort are the people who help to imagine it and those who build it, Doyle said.

“Many great Missouri companies and beyond have all contributed in meaningful ways and provided great jobs for great people along the way,” he said.

Thomas pointed out to guests that from the top floors of the resort, guests will be able to see the top of Outlaw Run and WildFire roller coasters and even the top of the eight-story Christmas tree on the park’s town square.

Thomas stressed that the crowning is not merely a moment.

“This is a strategy that takes us decades into the future,” he said during the event.

He added that with the resort, SDC is looking years into the future to build tourism in the Ozark Mountains.

Guests wrote notes in a blessing book that was inserted into the resort’s walls and left with native redbud saplings to plant at home.

According to past SBJ reporting, the six-story resort will have 17,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, plus a restaurant, and employ 250-300 people.