Idaho State University could have a new home for hoops.
University officials Thursday announced plans for a new, 4,500-seat basketball and multipurpose arena — with the balance of a $70 million to $80 million price tag coming from private donors.
Idaho Central Credit Union has made what Idaho State called a “transformational gift” for the project, which will be named the ICCU Bengal Arena. Details were not disclosed.
“ICCU has believed in Idaho State for more than a decade, and once again they have stepped forward now, when our university and our community are ready to dream even bigger,” Idaho State President Robert Wagner said in a news release announcing the project.
The project’s timeline is also unclear. Idaho State said ICCU’s donation is a “landmark” for the arena, with the money coming in “over a period of years.”
Idaho State will build the new arena next to the ICCU Dome. ICCU funded a multimillion-dollar makeover of the domed arena from 2021 to 2023, and purchased naming rights in 2024.
University officials say the new arena will host a variety of events, such as commencements, concerts and high school tournaments.
“Our student-athletes deserve facilities that match their ambition,” Idaho State Athletic Director Pauline Thiros said in the news release. “Our fans deserve a place they can be proud of. And our community deserves a venue that brings people together.”
This would be the second basketball arena on an Idaho campus funded in part by ICCU. The credit union contributed $10 million toward the University of Idaho’s $51 million ICCU Arena. The 4,200-seat venue opened in 2021.
