MOSCOW, Idaho – May 12, 2017 – The University of Idaho Alumni Association will support the Idaho Arena on the Moscow campus with a $500,000 commitment of funds over the next nine years. The UIAA Board of Directors unanimously approved the investment at its board meeting Thursday.
"The University of Idaho Alumni Association feels strongly that the Idaho Arena is an important part of continuing the tradition of student-centered success at UI," said Ben Rae, president of UIAA. "Not only will it be a state-of-the-art facility for our student-athletes, it will also provide a much-needed gathering place for current and future students, alumni and community members."
The $500,000 donation, which will be drawn from the association's investment income, funds an events space inside the arena. The gathering place, which has yet to be named, will highlight past and present institutional and alumni accomplishments and will feature interactive displays and a place for alumni to update their contact information. It will provide an additional space for alumni, students and campus organizations to host events.
"To have the Alumni Association step up in this way is an incredible show of leadership and support," said UI President Chuck Staben. "I appreciate their passion for the project and for the University of Idaho. This investment is incredibly important for the arena project, for the future success of our student-athletes, and for the excellence of our university."
The 4,700-seat facility that will house Vandal court sports and events has moved into the design phase after being approved by the Idaho State Board of Education in February of this year. The arena will have state-of-the-art engineered wood design and be constructed from Idaho's natural, renewable timber resources. The arena will also be a teaching lab. Students from a variety of UI programs will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience during the design and construction of the facility.
More information about the Idaho Arena is available at https://www.uidaho.edu/giving/athletics/idaho-arena.
