A push to build a new stadium and bring a professional soccer team to the Boise area took its next step forward Wednesday.
Ada County unveiled a public auction for a 27-acre site at Expo Idaho, laying out its vision to convert the former Les Bois horse racing track into a soccer-focused, mixed-used stadium.
Bidding starts at $150,000 a year for a 30-year lease. The property includes parts of the old horse track, the Turf Club Bar and Grill, and parking lots. The winning bidder would also need to negotiate revenue sharing with Ada County.
Key details of Ada County’s plan include:
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A 6,000-seat stadium with the capacity to grow to 11,000.
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Attracting men’s and women’s professional soccer teams for 15-20 home games a year.
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At least $9 million to renovate the existing grandstands in the first two years.
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Additional fields around the stadium for soccer, lacrosse, football, rugby and baseball within 10 years.
The county will announce the winner of the auction on Oct. 30. The winner then has 90 days to sign a development agreement with the county and must finance the stadium itself.