MOSCOW, Idaho - The state Board of Education has approved the University of Idaho's plan to borrow $10 million to make safety improvements to the Kibbie Dome.

The approval Thursday allows the school to improve some exits so more people can get out of the dome faster. The money will also be used to replace two wooden end walls with noncombustible materials.

"We appreciate the support and approval by our regents to move forward with financing and much-needed life safety work," Lloyd Mues, vice president for finance and administration, said in a statement. "We are pleased that even during these tough economic times, we've been able to put together a sound financing plan."

He said the university will be able to meet the quarterly payments during the two-year loan.

The board had previously approved $2 million for designing the safety improvements.

"That ($12 million total) will allow us to get going on the walls and on the exits," Mues told The Lewiston Tribune.

The school had initially sought approval for a $17 million loan, but scaled it back because of the tough economic times.

Mues said construction should begin this spring and could be finished by the end of 2009.

Because of the reduction in money, some improvements at the dome will be delayed, including expanding fire alarms and a fire sprinkler system, and upgrading other exits.

Mues said he hopes the university will get money from the state Permanent Building Fund to work on those projects.

"I'm waiting with bated breath to see what they will release," he said. "I'd take whatever they'd consider giving us."