The University of Idaho on Thursday moved a major step closer to a new basketball and events arena decades in the making.
The State Board of Education voted unanimously to allow the university to begin the bidding and construction phase on the $46 million construction project. However, that decision was contingent upon approval of the State Board’s executive director in consultation with the new university president — a stipulation that will give the new president input before moving into the job. The board interviewed four presidential finalists Thursday and indicated during the arena discussion that a hiring decision could be made in the next week.