Idaho ponders ambitious plans

Now that Idaho knows what it wants to do, it has to figure out how to do it.

The Vandals have unveiled ambitious plans to build a 6,000-seat multiuse pavilion and make upgrades to the Kibbie Dome. The price tag for the pavilion is roughly $70 million. Dome improvements could run as much as $40 million.

“We need to have a solid fundraising and revenue plan to go back to the state board,” Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said. “In my opinion, we have to have the majority of those dollars in place before we can start this. We wouldn’t be in this position if we didn’t think we could do this. It is an absolute necessity for this campus to remain a great residential campus and advance the athletic department.”

The timeline and the extent of the plans becoming reality depend on how much money Idaho can raise.

“I can’t even give you an estimate,” Spear said. “I can tell you if we started building the pavilion tomorrow it would take three years to build. That’s what the architects have said.”

Spear has spent 30 months on the development of facilities plans, working with numerous campus entities and the city of Moscow. He said the fundraising plan and actual fundraising also will be campus-wide endeavors. Other than the possibility of some state deferred maintenance funds to address Dome safety issues, the school will be responsible for fundraising to pay for the projects.

Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center, which opened in November 2004, cost $25 million. Idaho’s pavilion, which would be located contiguous to the north concourse of the Dome, would include acoustical elements to house “virtually all the performing arts but probably not opera,” Spear said. Seating could be arranged for 675, 1,350, 2,000 or 5,300. A basketball contest could seat up to 6,000.

“It just goes to show the price of construction has gone up – concrete and steel – and to have the ability to make it flexible to all those seating arrangements and make it acoustically available,” Spear said.

The pavilion could host events such as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, speakers, concerts, graduation ceremonies, academic conferences, trade shows, seminars and possibly Vandal volleyball.

Idaho’s facilities plan includes four elements. The first element involves bringing the 32-year-old Dome into compliance with building codes, replacing the 17-year-old artificial turf and the wooden walls on the east and west ends. The turf figures to be in place before next season. The wooden walls would be replaced with translucent fiberglass panels.

“The Dome has some issues because of code deficiencies, but we take every precaution to make it safe,” Spear said.

The pavilion is the second element. The third element involves more Dome upgrades, including lowering the field 10-12 feet to boost seating by 3,600 and improve sight lines, press box renovations and building 12-15 north-side suites capable of holding 12-20 people.

If the field is lowered, Idaho would need to buy a 200-meter banked track. Spear said the current 300-meter flat track is out of date. Indoor track championships are usually contested on 200-meter tracks. The fourth element includes an academic support center, west end expansion, team meeting rooms and an indoor tennis/track complex.

Spear said it’s important for the basketball teams to have their own facility. The basketball teams have little or no access to the Kibbie Dome essentially until football season ends in late November.

“We really don’t want to say this is a priority or that is a priority,” he said. “Revenue is going to drive whatever we do first.”

Idaho football and men’s basketball haven’t had winning seasons since 1999, which could present an obstacle in fundraising.

“In some people’s opinion that would be an issue, but what we’re selling is a long-term vision that enhances the entire campus and improves facilities for the athletic program,” Spear said. “Improving the facilities will help us put a better product on the court and the field.”