Boise State University has proposed major upgrades to its athletic facilities on the Boise, Idaho, campus.
The project would create a new village for the athletics department that would include construction of a soccer stadium and a 5,000-seat arena for Olympic sports programs, reports The Idaho Statesman.
The plan also envisions major renovations to the university's Albertsons Stadium and ExtraMile Arena.
The football stadium would be upgraded with a four-story Varsity Center, which would include a weight room, a nutrition center and offices for coaches, administrators and staff. The existing varsity center at the south end of the stadium would be demolished.
The renovation would close up the north end of the stadium to create a bowl effect and connect the upper concourse all the way around the stadium.
The addition of premium seating and loge boxes are also part of the proposed stadium upgrade. Officials said seating capacity would increase from a little more than 36,000 to 40,000. The university's goal is to eventually be able to accommodate 60,000 fans.
Planned upgrades to ExtraMile Arena and the Arguinchona Basketball Complex include transforming old racquetball courts into offices for the men’s and women’s basketball coaches, a weight room and a training area for the players.
The new soccer stadium would be built on the site of the football team's grass practice fields. The location of a new football practice field is yet to be determined.
The planned athletic village also would have a six-court indoor tennis center and a 5,000-seat arena that would be home to the gymnastics and volleyball teams. Building the arena would require the demolition of Bronco Gym, the existing facility for the gymnastics and volleyball teams.
