Regents Approve Next Steps for Kibbie Dome Seating Enhancements

MOSCOW, Idaho - With approval today from the University of Idaho Board of Regents/State Board of Education, the state's land-grant institution can move forward with plans to transform its iconic ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center.

"This set of privately funded improvements to the Kibbie Dome will provide the University of Idaho community, general public and Vandal fans a more comfortable and enhanced experience while attending academic, cultural and athletic events in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center," said Chris Murray, vice president of university advancement.

Improvements will include:

• Construction of a new media and game operations box to be located along the north concourse and seating area of the Kibbie Dome;
• Conversion of the existing media and game operations box, currently located above the south concourse seating area. This existing structure will be expanded and renovated into a club room to support enhanced spectator seating and other event activities;
• Construction of suite-style seating boxes to be located on the south concourse/seating area;
• Construction of club seating areas to be located on the south concourse/seating area; and
• Additional miscellaneous improvements aimed at enhancement of spectator comfort and enjoyment.

Murray said the university has worked diligently over the past year to refine and improve the project. The current project is scaled to meet the goals of the original vision while providing the greatest return on investment for the university and other stakeholders.

"We also would like to acknowledge the generosity of the donors who have made this project possible," said Rob Spear, director of athletics. "We have a mission to build a premier athletic department and these enhancements to the Kibbie Dome are a key part of achieving this. It also boosts our revenue-generating capabilities and creates additional opportunities for the entire campus to utilize this multi-use facility."

and has initiated the design phase. Approval today authorizes the construction phase to proceed.

The university has an overall fundraising goal for this project of $6.7 million. Private funds raised to date, including cash and pledges, exceed $6.8 million. With today's approval from the regents, the university will move ahead with construction using a short-term loan to cover the cash flow needs that arise from the difference between pledge payment and construction payment schedules.

The university already has approval from the regents to finish the final phase of life safety work in the Kibbie Dome, which includes replacement of the east end wall. Aligning both publicly and privately funded projects will yield not only cost savings and efficiencies but, in the long run, will minimize disruption to the overall Kibbie event schedule.

The regents also approved an agreement between the University of Idaho and Litehouse Inc. for sponsorship and naming rights: under the agreement, Litehouse will pay $200,000 per year from 2011 through 2015 in exchange for naming the Kibbie Dome premium seating area the "Litehouse Center," along with other promotional considerations in conjunction with University of Idaho events and marketing.

The ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center is home to many facets of University of Idaho life. Not only do Vandal Athletics and the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival call it home, it also houses convocation and commencement ceremonies, academic conferences, as well as numerous other campus and community activities

In other business, the board approved the capital project authorization request for renovation and improvements to the Dan O'Brien Outdoor Track and Field Complex.

Work on the 1970-vintage complex includes correction of surface and subsurface water issues by improving the surface and subsurface drainage systems; renovating and rebuilding the asphaltic concrete base at both the track and the field event ramps and approaches; resurfacing of the track and field event ramps and approaches with a contemporary, state-of-the-art synthetic track surface; and repairing and renovating the bleachers. The project also will include other improvements and renovations to associated systems and other spectator facilities as funding allows.

The total track and field complex project effort is valued at $2.5 million and includes design phase and construction costs and appropriate and precautionary contingency allowances. A tentative timeline identifies a September 2011 completion date. The new track will get high-profile use in 2012 when the university hosts the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

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