State approves $46 million University of Idaho arena

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — The University of Idaho in Moscow is poised to get a new $46 million basketball arena.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that the Idaho State Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to support the new construction project, pending final approval from the university's new president.

The 62,000-square-foot facility will be called the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena, which will seat 4,200 people.

It will be located next to the ASUI Kibbie Activity Center, also known as the Kibbie Dome.

Groundbreaking is expected this spring and it should be completed in 2021. Plans to build such a venue have been considered since the 1950s.

The state board approved bonds or reserve funds to cover $29 million of the initial construction costs.

A new university president is expected to be named by April.

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