Sept. 21, 2006

View Bengal Village

Pocatello, ID --- Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb unveiled the Athletic Facilities Master Plan on Thursday afternoon, a plan that features several new facilities and practice areas that will change the look of the upper section of the Idaho State University campus. The new all-encompassing complex will be called "Bengal Village". The Athletic Facilities Master Plan is the culmination of an 18 month process and is now a tangible long-term vision for Bengal Athletics.

Bengal Village centers itself around Holt Arena, and it includes an indoor practice facility, a new outdoor synthetic turf practice football field, a basketball arena, a new softball complex, tennis courts, and a new building connecting various new facilities that will house new offices, an academic center, weight rooms, training area, and locker rooms, along with a potential Hall of Fame and meeting space.

Bengal Village will be presented to the State Board of Education at the December meetings. "We will be moving forward by sharing this plan with both internal and external constituents," said Bubb, "Obtaining their comments so we can consider any changes before we take the plans to the State Board of Education as a part of the University's Master Plan." Some of the groups would include the President's Cabinet, the Athletic Advisory Board, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the ASISU Student Senate, the Faculty Senate, the Bengal Foundation Board of Directors, the Alumni Association, and local civic and government groups. A time line has not be put forth for the start of the construction of any of the pieces of Bengal Village.

"We will be moving forward by sharing this plan with both internal and external constituents, obtaining their comments so we can consider any changes before we take the plans to the State Board of Education as a part of the University's Master Plan." Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb

The new football synthetic turf practice field would be located on the east side of Holt Arena where a parking lot is currently located. The new softball complex will be located on the site of the current South Practice Field. The parking lot to the east of the current practice field will become the site of a new indoor practice facility that would include a 60-70 yard football field that can be used by the football team as well as other ISU athletic teams. The facility would also include three indoor basketball/volleyball courts as well.

Many factors were taken into account for the new football practice and softball complex. Said Bubb, "As we have gone through this process we have kept a number of key issues in mind, including runoff water retention and the need for maintaining a similar number of parking spaces as is currently available on campus, and in particular, in this area. We have addressed both and continue to review the best options to accommodate these needs."

The north side of Holt Arena will be the site of the new basketball arena, which when completed will seat approximately 7,500 fans. The new basketball complex will be connected to Holt Arena. On the south side of Holt Arena, on the site of the current South Practice Field, a new softball complex will be constructed, using Holt Arena as a hitters backdrop.

The plan will also include improvements to Holt Arena, including seismic improvements, heating and ventilation improvements, new turf, and acoustical improvements, along with the addition of a new press box and donor suites.

Centralized and connected to the indoor practice facility and Holt Arena will be a new building designed with locker rooms, a permanent Hall of Fame, offices, training room, meeting rooms, and potential booster areas as well. This building will have access to both Holt Arena, the indoor practice facility, the softball complex, and the outdoor football practice field.

The plan was developed in conjunction with the vision statement developed by Bubb and the Planning Committee. "We seek to develop a plan that is enviable, yet practical, for meeting the needs of a NCAA Division I athletic program in a highly competitive athletic conference. The plan shall respect the position we hold in Southeastern Idaho as a regional center for sports and entertainment as well as work within the greater master plan of Idaho State University and its facility needs for the athletic, recreation and academic programs."

The Bengal Village concept took 11 months in all from the start of meetings in November of 2005. Said Bubb, "We did not rush the process, but (we) took some additional time to make certain President Vailas, who joined us in July, would have the opportunity to review before we shared with other constituents and the public."

Committee Members
Paul A. Bubb (Chair)    Director of Athletics
Darrell Buffaloe        Campus Planning
Scott Campbell	        Campus Planning
Dr. Kent Tingey         University Administration / Institutional Advancement
George Casper           Holt Arena Director
Doug Milder             Campus Recreation
Dr. Scott Benson        Faculty
Dr. Karen Appleby       Faculty
James Yizar             Student Affairs
Phil Blick              Campus Financial Services
Roger Chase             Mayor
Jerry Sepich            Pocatello Parks & Recreation
Mark Nye                Community
Dr. M. R. Mickelson     Community