The cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck are finalizing details of a $20 million bond vote to finance major repairs at Idaho State University's Holt Arena in Pocatello.
City leaders expect the improvements will extend the facility's life by about 40 years.
Chubbuck Mayor Steven England said his City Council will likely approve a February public vote on the project during Tuesday's meeting. Pocatello could opt to go into regular session during a Thursday morning study meeting to approve a vote.
The bond requires approval by a twothirds majority of voters in the two cities. Constructed in the early 1970s, Holt was the first covered football stadium to be built on any college campus.
"I certainly wouldn't want to think about what this community would be like if we hadn't had Holt Arena for the past 37 years," England said. "It's an economic development tool for us. I don't think anyone has lived in this community for very long where they haven't been affected in one way or another by Holt Arena."
In exchange for providing the funding, the cities would likely be guaranteed about 60 days of use annually at Holt Arena for community events, England said. The university would probably charge the cities no rental fees, above operational costs for each event.
Because it has a larger population, Pocatello would shoulder more of the financial burden of the project.
England said discussions about overhauling Holt have been ongoing for the past four or five months.
The Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce has not yet taken an official stance on the project, said Executive Director Matt Hunter. But personally, Hunter fears the community could eventually lose several large civic events if nothing is done.
Hunter explained the planned repairs would likely not change Holt's aesthetic appearance much. He said the arena's air handling system, which was never designed to handle the dirt that's sometimes hauled in for rodeos and truck shows, no longer functions well. The structural integrity of the building is in dire need of repairs, he said. The bathrooms also need improvements, he said.
"It's really infrastructure stuff. It's not beautification. It's to keep the place alive," Hunter said. "Obviously, Holt Arena is a huge economic driver for us and for the whole community, not just ISU. If Holt were to fall into really bad disrepair, which it's getting there, and we were to lose those events, it would be very bad for the community. We absolutely need to do something."
While England considers using property taxes to finance the improvements as the best available plan, Pocatello City Council President Brian Underwood argues it's important to retain an open mind about other financing options.
"There are just some ideas out there as to how do we do it, and I think that's where the council needs to have some discussion," Underwood said.
Regardless, Underwood said he's completely behind repairing Holt.
"I spend a lot of Friday nights at those high school football games, and what a great place. Most communities don't have something like this," Underwood said.
Specific figures as to how taxpayers would be affected by approval of the bond were not available Thursday. England said those numbers will be submitted to city staff on Monday.
Beyond extending Holt's useful life, England argues repairing Holt Arena would "prime the pumps" for ISU fundraising efforts to build an elaborate athletic complex called Bengal Village.
Bengal Village would include a basketball arena, softball facilities and a football practice field, among other things.
Hunter acknowledges it's never easy to convince voters to increase their taxes.
"I think if the voters really look at the economic impact Holt Arena has on their community, they should consider it, but the issue of property tax is a big issue here, and it's going to cost," Hunter said.
But England is optimistic that voters will approve the funding. The mayor said Chubbuck will have only one polling place at City Hall, and he expects Pocatello will follow a similar format.
England said he and the officials involved wouldn't be trying if they didn't think the bond could pass.
"The basic consensus that Mayor Chase and I came to is Holt is of great value to both cities and the entire community, and with the investment of the $20 million we can certainly get a lot more out of it than if we were to try to build an event center or a civic center," England said.
