If you’ve ever attended an Idaho State football game with a large crowd, you know how jammed the hallways and the lines for concessions and restrooms get, especially during halftime.
Idaho State is taking some steps to try to alleviate at least some of that congestion.
Fencing will be installed from the south side of the ICCU Dome around the east and west sidewalks, to a newly created outside patio area on the north side of the dome. The patio area will replace curbing, shrubbery and the circle drive directly in front of the entrances on the north side. It will extend out about 70 feet from the building, opening up space for more concessions, and allowing fans to go outside during the game and come back in, without violating the “no-reentry” policy that was put in place a few years ago.
The ticket booth will be moved away from the building, outside the circle area in the parking lot, facing the tailgate activity.
“We’re trying to expand the footprint and make everything a lot more accessible,” said ISU athletic director Pauline Thiros. “And sell a lot more concessions, serve people well, and avoid the long, long lines. I think people will like it. We’ll have some entertainment out there, some different food options … just a lot better food and choices.”
Bengal fans will encounter another new wrinkle when they show up for ISU’s Aug. 29 opener with Virginia Military Institute (VMI) — security screening.
“We’re one of the last college stadiums in the country without security, so there will be density machines that our fans will pass through to enhance security,” said Thiros.
The idea to create an outdoor patio on the north side of the dome was the brainchild of a number of ISU athletic department employees who were trying to address the problems of limited concession options, crowded hallways and fan discontent with the no-reentry policy.
That policy was instituted after Idaho State began selling alcohol at what was then Holt Arena in 2021. While giving schools the option to sell alcohol, the Idaho State Board of Education mandated that schools are responsible for preventing fans from being “over-served,” and the no-reentry policy helps prevent fans from going out to their vehicles at halftime and imbibing.
The new outside perimeter area will allow fans to get some fresh air during the game, without violating the no-reentry policy.
“They (the fans) can go outside during the game, just not outside the perimeter fence,” said Thiros. “People on the south side can go all the way around (to the patio) and still be considered inside the stadium. So, the kids can get out and run and stretch their legs. There will just be a lot more options in general.”
Thiros didn’t know the exact cost of creating the patio and installing the perimeter fencing, but she said it will likely be in the “five figures” area. She predicted it will pay for itself in increased concessions sales, and greater opportunity to sell sponsorship signage.
There are no current plans to create a patio on the south side of the dome, but Thiros said ISU will monitor how things go with the north side project and see if the approach might work on the other side of the dome.
Oh, and while the giant Adirondack ISU chair that was sitting in front of the north entrance has been moved for now, fear not, it will be back by the opening game, Thiros said.
“It will be moving around,” Thiros said. “It will be here on game day. That thing is designed to move all over the place.”