SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The planned consolidation of the North and South Dakota Leagues by yearend is "on track" with hiring of a new president/CEO now slated for June 1, it was disclosed. The deadline to receive resumes for the position as agreed on by the joint boards of the two Leagues was originally set for March 15, noted Donald Couch, the retiring president of the South Dakota League. So far, he said, there appears to be no major hitches in combining the two trade groups, adding "we are operating on calm seas." Under the Jan. 1, 2005 consolidation timetable, the South Dakota League building in Sioux Falls is to be sold and operations moved to Bismarck, headquarters for the North Dakota League. "We've had a few people look at the property," said Couch, but there has been no deal yet regarding the sale of the 10,700-square foot League facility. Under the League combination, two lobbying reps are slated to retain a Sioux Falls presence, but it was not clear if a small office might be opened there. The South Dakota League has six staffers including Couch while the larger group of employees are in Bismarck where shared card service and data processing operations are located.