Boise Centre Expands with 4-Acre Land Purchase

The convention center's expansion plans could include a new 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall or a multi-sport complex.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:21pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a collection of premium architectural models, scale rulers, and drafting tools arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the planning and design process behind the Boise Centre's expansion.Architectural models, drafting tools, and scale rulers symbolize the careful planning behind the Boise Centre's expansion.Boise Today

The Greater Boise Auditorium District has purchased a 4-acre lot near the Boise Centre, Idaho's largest convention center, as part of its expansion plans. The purchase comes after a year of analysis and evaluation, with the district now considering the best use of the land, which could include a new 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall or a multi-sport complex.

Why it matters

The Boise Centre has seen growing demand for its venue, with 2025 setting new records for revenue, events hosted, and guests. The expansion plans aim to address the center's current limitations in hosting events, which result in an average of 115 lost events annually due to lack of availability.

The details

The 4-acre plot, located in south downtown Boise just north of Ann Morrison Park, is currently home to a mix of office spaces and warehouses that would likely be demolished. The district will now determine the best use of the land, with a 2025 study recommending the addition of a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall. There has also been interest in a possible sporting complex, as sports facilities can be cheaper to build and sports tourism is in high demand.

  • The Greater Boise Auditorium District announced the 4-acre land purchase last week.
  • The purchase came after a year of work by an exploratory committee.
  • 2025 set new records for the Boise Centre, including $51.2 million in revenue, 278 events hosted, and 170,000 guests.

The players

Greater Boise Auditorium District

The organization that operates the Boise Centre through the use of a 5% hotel tax and has seen growing demand for the venue.

Kristin Muchow

Chair of the district's board of directors.

Cody Lund

Executive Director of the Boise Centre.

Mary-Michael Rodgers

Associate Director of Communications for the Boise Centre.

Johnson Consulting

A third-party firm that conducted a 2025 study on the Boise Centre's expansion needs.

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What they’re saying

“These multi-sports complexes are incredibly successful because sports tourism is very much in demand. There's cities like Pocatello right now that have sports facilities, and they've been very successful.”

— Mary-Michael Rodgers, Associate Director of Communications for the Boise Centre

“Boise Centre is a community asset. Protecting what we've built here is just as important as planning for what comes next.”

— Cody Lund, Executive Director of the Boise Centre

What’s next

The district will now contemplate the best use of the 4-acre land, which could include a new 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall or a multi-sport complex. Once a project is finalized, the district has stated that the Boise Centre's operations will not be impacted during construction.

The takeaway

The Boise Centre's expansion plans represent a strategic investment in the city's growing convention and events business, aiming to address the venue's current limitations and capitalize on the rising demand for its services. The project's success could have a significant economic impact on the Boise community.