In from the cold: Athletes
may get new indoor training facility

Monday, Jan. 24, afternoon after a long day of presentations and deliberations, the Idaho State Board of Education listened as Boise State’s Vice President for Finance and Administration Stacy Pearson, President Robert Kustra and Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier submitted proposals for an indoor training facility. Also presented were the findings from the feasibility study conducted this fall concerning the expansion of the press box and seating in Bronco Stadium.

Secretary Milford Terrell led the discussion asking Pearson, Kustra and Bleymaier for clarification on exactly what they were asking the board to approve. The main proposal set on the table was to allow Boise State to utilize an amount not to exceed $80,000 to choose a design consultant to design a proposal for an indoor track and training facility at BSU.

The actual project will still have to go before the board to be approved before building can begin, but a design must be implemented to show the board exactly what Boise State envisions for the future.

Terrell wants Boise State officials to choose five contractors confirmed by the Idaho Division of Public Works in order to allow local contractors the opportunity to bid on the design project.

Idaho Falls committee chair member Blake Hall asked Pearson, Kustra and Bleymaier for justification as to why an indoor training facility is needed. Hall was persistent in confirming BSU representatives that the facility would not be solely reserved for the football team and would be accessible to other intercollegiate BSU athletes.

Both Bleymaier and Kustra assured Hall that there was a substantive need to build this facility and that it would heighten the training of all Boise State athletic teams.

Kustra believes that Boise State is fully capable of competing at a higher level with any Pac 10 institution. The indoor training facility is taking top priority to the press box expansion and the stadium expansion combined.

Although the findings submitted from the feasibility study showed significant public interest in an expansion of both the stadium and press box, providing facilities that can enhance and better an athlete’s performance is the first goal the administrationwould like to accomplish in terms of the progress of the athletic program.

In regards to the press box and stadium expansion, Bleymaier submitted the results that Conventions Sports and Leisure International found after conducting surveys, private interviews and game day interviews of Bronco Boosters, local corporations and fans.

It was found that there is significant support and interest for a sky box, club seats and a seating expansion in Bronco Stadium, said Bleymaier. He also assured the board that funding for this project would come from private sources. "Our plan is to move forward with marketing and aggressive fundraising, and before a commitment of any kind, we will be back before the board for approval," said Bleymaier.

Amber Fuger
Sports Writer

Related Posts:

1. Final OK given for indoor training facility
2. BSU Indoor Practice Facility
3. State Board ok’s marketing skyboxes
4. Convocation welcomes back athletes
5. Stadium expansion begins