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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Kibbie Dome to get new video board

The reshaping of the nearly 40-year-old Kibbie Dome continued Wednesday, when the University of Idaho gained approval from the State Board of Education to install a 50-foot wide, 30-foot tall video board on the east wall of the stadium.

The board will be ready for football games this fall and cost $1.15 million, according to the Idaho Statesman. The athletic department's portion of the total is $787,321, all of which is being funded privately.

Athletic director Rob Spear said tonight that two of the five advertising panels on the state-of-the-art board have yet to be sold. The main sponsor is the Idaho Potato Commission, which will have a large Famous Idaho Potatoes banner across the top of the board. Also involved are Blue Cross of Idaho and Commercial Tire. "I’m very confident we’ll sell two panels," said Spear, noting that sponsors are paying for the advertising rights over five years but will be able to keep their name on the board for 10 years.

The Kibbie Dome in recent years has undergone a major facelift, getting translucent light panels on both ends, a new club room (surrounded by suites and premium seats) and a new press box. Spear has also pushed through a new weight room, updated lockers and meeting rooms and an outdoor practice field.

"It’s night and day from where it was before," Spear said.



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