The Pavilion, now ExtraMile Arena, opened in 1982. It is the venue for Broncos basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics teams, as well as concerts, commencements, and community events.
The concept for the Pavilion, a multi-functional athletic complex, began in the early 1970s as the crowds for Boise State basketball games outgrew the gymnasium built in 1956. Additionally, the acoustics were not conducive to high quality performances; many performers bypassed Boise for this reason, prompting local residents and students to demand appropriate facilities.
By 1974, the university and community identified potential locations. An early suggestion was the north side of the Boise River across from Ann Morrison Park, but there was uncertainty that all parties could agree. Two years later, there were debates about raising student tuition by $25 for two consecutive years to allow building the Pavilion on campus. In November 1977, the state Senate called for a cost and benefit campaign to inform the campus and community about the actual costs and intentions of the $14 million estimate. Of 200 students surveyed, only 4 percent rejected the pavilion outright, however almost half of the 1,000 community voters polled were opposed. This response spurred school leaders to closely look at the project’s funding and evaluate two main sources of revenue: student fees, and private gifts or endowments. A few days later, the Bronco Athletic Association donated the first installment of their $4 million dollar pledge. Student fees were raised $40 per semester to raise additional funds.
By the groundbreaking ceremony in February 1980, the BAA increased their financial contribution to $5 million and revenue from student bonds reached over $12 million. Governor John Evans, Clint Hoopes of the State Board of Education, and the BAA’s David Light were among the ten men to wield ceremonial shovels for the Pavilion’s groundbreaking. The structure, designed by architectural firm Cline, Smull, Hamill and Associates of Boise, was destined to be a striking architectural embellishment that enhanced the cultural and entertainment life of the region.
The Pavilion opened on May 16, 1982 at a total cost of $17.5 million. Its first three events were the graduation ceremonies for the Boise public high schools. In August, the arena hosted an eight-day Billy Graham Crusade, and its first significant sporting event was the NCAA Basketball Tournament in March 1983. The Pavilion was renamed to Taco Bell Arena in June 2004, after Taco Bell signed a 15-year naming rights agreement with the university for $4 million.
After the expiration of the name Taco Bell Arena, the building was renamed ExtraMile Arena. ExtraMile is a joint venture between Chevron, USA Inc. and Idaho’s Jacksons Food Stores, Inc. The name took effect in June 2019, and will bring the university $8.4 million over a term of 15 years.
Sources:
Glen Barrett, Searching for Excellence, 1932-1984
Taco Bell Arena/The Pavilion Building File
“Pavilion, Architect Approved,” FOCUS, October 1978