Welcome to the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena

The undulating roof of the Arena mimics the surrounding Palouse landscape, and the wood creates an inviting, intimate place representative of Idaho’s nature.

"Every aspect of the traditional ‘windowless steel box’ arena prototype has been rethought toward sustainable systems that will be the future of college sports facilities.

The College of Natural Resources (CNR) brought the idea of mass timber, as well as making the arena unique to our Idaho. It was the first time I’d heard of the athletics department speaking with the CNR about these opportunities to create an economic generator for that region. That, coupled with the welcoming vision for the arena, was an exciting pairing.” - Chris Roberts, Opsis Architecture LLP

“The initial project was beautiful, but we weren’t able to produce the beams as they were first drawn out as solid, continuous pieces, which are too long for us to produce. So we collaborated with the engineers to break the beams up into sections for production, making a testament to what can be done with wood. Boise Cascade and our peers are so proud to be apart.” - Amy Vitek and Kelly Hibs, Boise Cascade

“We worked with the College of Natural Resources on the procurement of all the mass timbers through multiple donor streams.” - David Shroud, Hoffman Construction

“We moved 2 million board feet of timber into 3 different mills. It took about 400 truckloads to produce the 2 million feet. Our part was small – It's what we do for a living every day. But it makes a big difference, and it’s a source of pride that will stand for a long time – maybe a hundred years.” - Mark Swanson Logging

From Yarder to Ground: Read More about local logger, Mark Swanson

The ICCU Arena’s complex timber connections push the limits of current timber engineering and design.

“The monumental, sculpted truss frame system, constructed of dual wood members up to six feet deep and spanning 130 feet, supports all the ends of the primary long-span king-post trusses over the arena. Each of the beams in these portal frames transfers over 400,000 pounds of load into the frame legs. Our structural 3D model produced all the geometry and shop drawings required to produce the curved Glulam shapes, each of which had a unique curvature. Our skilled shop team used in-house CNC capabilities with layout optimization to cut the desired shapes out of the actual curved billets we received from the Idaho manufacturers.” - Lucas Epp, StructureCraft Engineering and 3D Manager

“We as engineers were able to work directly with several manufacturers in Idaho to allow us to do something that had never been done before. We took the free-formed surface of the roof and rationalized it into series of radius pieces that were manufactured more efficiently. I don’t think people realize you can go long span with wood. These are viable structural elements that work well for structure and for architectural and fire related conditions.” - Judsen Williams, KPFF Engineers

Click here to read more about the ICCU’s design.

“We are a university on the rise and this facility is the catalyst for a new era for the University of Idaho. It showcases many of the strengths that make Idaho great — its natural resources, its students and its community,” - Scott Green, U of I President

“The arena means so much more to Vandal Athletics, the university, our community and the state of Idaho. It is a place where we can all unite — whether that is a game, a concert or other events” - Terry Gawlik, U of I director of athletics

“The Arena represents a story of sustainability. The way industry leaned in to make this an Idaho project for Idaho, with Idaho ands, forests, companies, and products, that’s what I’m proud of. But I think there’s work to be done. We must take more time living and telling that story. It’s not enough for me to believe, it’s not enough for me to just put a sign on the building – it's an ongoing educational opportunity for everyone who is a part. Every time we run our hands against these beams, we explore where the wood came from. It’s a challenge for us to tell that story over and over again.” - Dennis Becker, Dean of the College of Natural Resources

Natural resources, engineering and architecture students continue to learn about forest products supply chains, sustainable nursery and forest management, carbon sequestration, life cycle analysis and building performance during extreme weather events.

“The arena showcases how a renewable material can be effectively used in structures that traditionally have been built with nonrenewable materials such as iron, steel, and concrete. For as long as the building stands, students in various disciplines can envision the vast number of applications that wood can be used to meet the demand for sustainably constructed structures.” - Steven Shook, Professor of Forest & Sustainable Products

“I’m excited about the arena because we have an actual case study built on campus. For example, in the class Timber Design, we focus on the design of wood trusses, frames, columns, bracing systems and arch girders, and the design of connections between different timber elements. We look at design details and how these features withstand vertical loads and lateral loads such as seismic and wind loads.” - Assistant Professor Ahmed Ibrahim, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“What sets our program apart is the hands-on learning activities that show the full life cycle: from seed, to product, to Arena,” - Robert Keefe, University of Idaho Experimental Forest Director

“The ICCU Arena’s innovation has important commercial applications that support future U of I grants and research in the forestry, architecture and engineering sciences.” - Steven Peterson, Associate Clinical Professor of Economics.

“This building is a great model for myself and other forestry, wood products, and engineering students to see how we can make large structures to go towards a more sustainable future.” - Jordy Williams, CNR Student

“We want to make sure not only the foresters are there for our children and grandchildren, but also for the resources. I think this project shows how U of I takes sustainability seriously.” - Cameron Vu, CNR Student

Designed as a multi-event and court sports facility, the ICCU Arena provides the main Vandal basketball program home court, practice court, men’s and women’s locker rooms, conference space, concessions, media room as well as coaching and staff offices. But for our teams, the Arena is more than a facility. It’s a home.

“It means a lot to be the first team to play in the ICCU Arena. For us to finally be able to be that team – it's quite awesome.” - Gabe Quinnett, Athlete

“The arena has a huge positive impact on our recruiting as well as the current team. The arena will be a source of Vandal Pride not only for the players, but for the entire student body and our community. Go Vandals!” - Jon Newlee, women’s head basketball coach.