Idaho Central Arena facts for kids
The Grove Plaza at north entrance, October 2019
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| Full name | Idaho Central Arena |
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| Former names | Bank of America Centre (1997–2005) Qwest Arena (2005–2011) CenturyLink Arena (2011–2020) |
| Location | 233 S. Capitol Boulevard Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 43°36′50″N 116°12′14″W / 43.614°N 116.204°W |
| Owner | Block 22 LLC |
| Operator | Block 22 LLC |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 5,002 Basketball: 5,732 Concerts: 6,800 Boxing: 6,400 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | January 21, 1996 |
| Opened | September 24, 1997 28 years ago |
| Construction cost | $50 million ($91.1 million in 2022 ) |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Structural engineer | Cary Kopczynski & Company |
| Services engineer | Engineering Incorporated |
| General contractor | PCL/McAlvain |
| Tenants | |
| Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) (1997–present) Idaho/Boise Stallions (IPFL) (2000–2001) Idaho Stampede (NBA D-League) (2005–2016) Boise Burn (AF2) (2007–2009) Treasure Valley Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2008–present) |
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The Idaho Central Arena is a cool building in downtown Boise, Idaho. It's a place where many different events happen. People come here to watch sports, concerts, and other fun shows.
This arena has had a few names since it opened in 1997. It was first called the Bank of America Centre. Later, it became Qwest Arena, and then CenturyLink Arena. Since 2020, it has been known as the Idaho Central Arena.
It cost about $50 million to build this arena. It sits high up, about 2,700 feet above sea level. The arena is connected to The Grove Hotel, making it easy for visitors to stay nearby.
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What Can You See at Idaho Central Arena?
The Idaho Central Arena is home to the Idaho Steelheads, a professional ice hockey team. They have played here since the arena opened in 1997.
Many other sports teams have also used the arena:
- The Boise Stallions played indoor football here in 2000 and 2001.
- The Idaho Stampede basketball team played from 2005 to 2016.
- The Boise Burn football team played from 2007 to 2009.
- The Treasure Valley Rollergirls roller derby team also plays here.
The arena can hold different numbers of people depending on the event:
- For ice hockey, about 5,002 fans can watch.
- For basketball, up to 5,732 people can cheer.
- For concerts, it can hold up to 6,800 people.
- For boxing matches, about 6,400 people can attend.
Cool Features of the Arena
The Idaho Central Arena has many features that make it a great place for events. There are 39 special suites for groups and 1,100 Club Premiere seats. You can also find The Zone restaurant inside, which looks out over the arena floor. There are nine other food stands too.
The arena has two large scoreboards. It also has a big screen called a Daktronics ProStar videoboard. This screen shows replays and other exciting visuals during events. The arena floor itself is about 22,247 square feet, which is a lot of space for games and shows.
Exciting Events and Tournaments
The Idaho Central Arena has hosted many big events over the years.
Major Sports Events
- In 2006, it hosted the CBA All-Star Game.
- In 2007, it hosted the ECHL All-Star Game for hockey.
- The arena has also hosted two NBA D-League Showcases in 2008 and 2010. These events allowed all NBA D-League teams to play for four days. Scouts from all over the country came to watch new talent.
- In 2018, the arena held UFC Fight Night 133, which was a big mixed martial arts event.
Basketball Tournaments
The Big Sky Conference chose Idaho Central Arena to host its men's and women's basketball tournaments. These tournaments started in 2019 and will be held here for three years.
Concerts and Shows
Many famous musicians and bands have performed at the Idaho Central Arena. Some of these include:
- Judas Priest
- Godsmack
- Five Finger Death Punch
- Shinedown
- Skillet
- Luke Bryan
- Yes
- Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band
- Rise Against
Besides sports and concerts, the arena also hosts trade shows, conventions, and ice shows.
