Greater Boise Auditorium District History The Greater Boise Auditorium District was created by the Idaho Legislature in 1959. Idaho Statutes Title 67 "State government and State Affairs", Chapter 49 establishes the framework, guidelines and rules by which the District operates. In part, an Auditorium District is "one to build, operate, maintain, market and manage for public, commercial and/or industrial purposes by any available means public auditoriums, exhibition halls, convention centers, sports arenas and facilities of a similar nature and for that purpose any such district shall have the power to construct, maintain, manage, market and operate such facilities". Title 67-4902. The Greater Boise Auditorium District was established in 1979 to form a financial basis for the Boise Convention and Visitor's Bureau. In the late 1980's plans were formed to build a convention center which was completed in January of 1990 and is called the Boise Centre on the Grove. Operations of the Boise Centre and the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau are overseen by a five member board, publicly elected, that have 6 year terms. Currently, the Board consists of: Dr. Stephenson S. Youngerman, Chairman Mike Fitzgerald, Vice Chair Mike Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer Stephanie Astorquia Gail May Elections are held every two years with the next one being in February 2009, at which time Mike Fitzgerald, Stephanie Astorquia, and Gail May will be up for re-election. Funding The only source of funds for the Greater Boise Auditorium District is through the collection of "room taxes". All lodging properties (hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts) collect a room tax from visitors staying with them. Current legislation allows for a maximum of 5% be collected. In 2007, room tax revenues were slightly more than $4.2 million dollars. The District has absolutely no authority to levy or influence property taxes. The boundaries for the Greater Boise Auditorium District follow the original Boise Junior College lines of distinction. Roughly, they fall within the following: Floating Feather on the North Lake Hazel Road to the South Eagle Road to the West Confluence of Warm Springs Avenue and Gowen Road to the East These lines do not follow any logical County, City or other jurisdictional boundaries. Operating Entities The Greater Boise Auditorium District has only one function, that of Economic Development. To that end, the Board of the District is responsible for the operations of the Boise Centre on the Grove and the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Boise Centre on the Grove was completed in January 1990 and quickly became a tremendous economic catalyst. Since its completion, there has been significant growth in the downtown as well as in lodging properties throughout the District. The Centre is home to over 300 events a year and receives almost 200,000 guests annually. Yearly favorites include the Festival of Trees, a holiday tradition; Kid for a Night; FUNDSY; Flower and Garden Show; major Chamber of Commerce events; and many other galas. Many millions of dollars for important charitable organizations have been raised at the various fund raisers held annually at the Centre. The growth of the Treasure Valley continues to create more and more larger events that are held at The Boise Centre on the Grove. Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau (click to go to home page) was established in 1979 to help provide a strong basis for tourism in our area. Contact Us For any further information, please contact the General Manager of the Boise Centre on the Grove, 850 W. Front Street, Boise, Idaho 83702; or he can be contacted by calling 208-336-8900. < Back © 2006 Boise Centre on the Grove Site Designed by GRAinteractive.com