ISU Bengal

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Nee Alistair D.

Holt Arena, Bronco Stadium and the Kibbie Dome are staples in their communities, but maintenance on the massive structures isn't cheap.

ISU and the mayors of Pocatello and Chubbuck are calling on local citizens to fund a structural renovation for Holt Arena. State funds cannot be used for athletic facilities, so state schools must find alternate ways to fund renovation projects for their sports arenas.

Many people in Southeast Idaho argue the paths Boise State and the University of Idaho followed to finance major upgrades on their own facilities could be used as a roadmap for ISU to follow.

Boise State is in the process of a $35 million upgrade project for Bronco Stadium that will be completed for the 2008 football season. Most of the project will be paid through private donations and revenue generated by sky and club seats, said Frank Zang from Boise State communications. But given the recent success of the BSU Bronco football team, Pocatello leaders argue they have a much easier time of getting big donations from alumni. The University of Idaho, located in Moscow, has also announced plans for a $52 million renovation project for the Kibbie Dome that will make structural improvements and luxury upgrades to be completed in 2010. For the project's total cost, $35 million will come from private donations, while the remaining $17 million will come from university bonding, said Lloyd Muse, vice president of finance and administration.

The money from university bonds will be used for what Muse calls life and safety upgrade, such as ventilation, electrical and material repairs. That money will come from two sources. One is a $40 facility fee added to student fees. The rest of the money will come from reduced utility bills due to energy upgrades U of I plans to implement to make its buildings more efficient. Muse said Idaho discussed going to the residents of Moscow about helping with the structural part of the renovation, but the university ultimately decided it wouldn't be worth it because the school is the main user.

"For Moscow, the right thing was to figure out how we could do it internally," Muse said. "The purpose is not to make money off of it. Our purpose is to cover our costs."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools