Idaho

Macsen · Jul 24, 2011

It has ignited a pretty healthy debate, Prime. I think the premise is interesting, though I don't see them doing a race and a soccer match at the same time. Two words: lung cancer.

Idaho might be a perfect place for sub-MLS soccer, and could be a lynchpin market for a revamped USL Pro western division if they had the cojones to try it. All they have in the summer is short-season A ball.

I checked it out on Google Earth. The track could pull off a 105mx68m field.

X@V!3R · Jul 25, 2011

Here's a link to the feasibility study ...

http://economicdevelopment.cityofboise.org/PDF/StadiumMarketStudy.pdf

Soccer

The proposed stadium is envisioned to be designed with the capability to accommodate a fullsize soccer field, which would allow the stadium to potentially host a variety of soccer events and activities. The Hawks’ ownership group has expressed an interest in purchasing a minor league soccer franchise to serve as a second anchor tenant. Having soccer and baseball teams under shared management would create efficiencies in terms of sales and administrative staff.

The franchise would likely play in the Premier Development League (PDL). The PDL is comprised of 64 teams throughout North America, including and eight‐team Northwest Division with franchises located in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. PDL teams play a 16 game schedule (eight home games/eight road games). Average attendance varies widely among franchises and markets, ranging from less than 100 per game to more than 3,500 per game. Overall, PDL franchises draw an average of approximately 500 to 600 fans per game.

Stadiums in markets such as Portland, Oregon; Fresno, California; and Rochester, New York have hosted baseball and soccer franchises. In Fresno and Rochester, there have been concerns about the impact of soccer on the quality of the playing field for baseball. This was not a concern in Portland, which featured a synthetic turf field. If the proposed multi‐use stadium features a synthetic turf field, it would likely reduce the impact of soccer games on the quality of the playing surface. In addition to a potential PDL tenant franchise, the stadium could host exhibition games that could feature Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, national teams and/or international clubs. Many stadiums throughout the country have drawn strong attendance levels to these types of games, particularly those featuring popular teams and players.
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SoccerPrime · Jul 25, 2011

Awesome, love to hear that they might put down turf since they are worried about soccer's impact on the baseball surface. Great way to start.

Like the idea of another PDL team owned by a sports team though.

X@V!3R · Jul 25, 2011

Slightly surprising since PDL teams only play 8 home games (and maybe a few playoff games?).

I wonder how much of an impact the Sporting KC Wizards games had on that minor league park they were playing in last year.

X@V!3R · Apr 1, 2012

Boise Hawks will leave if no new stadium is built
KTVB

Rahr also mentioned that professional soccer is ready to come to Boise. With a team all lined up to call the City of Trees home in 2013, that all depends if they can get the funds to construct a new stadium.
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Macsen · Apr 3, 2012

If they did manage to build a new baseball stadium downtown, do you think they could do a soccer team with a stadium at the current Memorial Stadium site?