Pro basketball charges toward Nampa arena

Idaho Press-Tribune staff

NAMPA — Professional basketball is returning to Nampa.

The Idaho Stampede will be part of the Continental Basketball Association’s resurrection. And home games will be played at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

“We’re thrilled to be here,” new Stampede General Manager John Brunelle said, standing on the Idaho Center hardwood. “We know it’s the right place to be.”

The Stampede left Nampa a couple years ago when the team opted out of its Idaho Center contract and moved to downtown Boise’s Bank of America Centre. But Brunelle and majority owner Bill Ilett said that decision to move came under different league ownership.

The new ownership is committed to the Idaho Center, they said, although there will be a significant push to attract fans and sponsors from Boise, too.

“I think it is important that we keep one foot planted in both of the two biggest cities in Idaho,” Ilett said.

Stampede information
For information on Idaho Stampede tickets or passes, call 388-4667.
The decision to return to the Idaho Center came from past season ticket holders themselves, Ilett said. A survey found 50 percent of them preferred the Idaho Center, compared to 35 percent who wanted the Bank of America Centre. Another 15 percent said they would watch games at either arena.

“Having the Stampede play at the Idaho Center benefits all basketball fans in the Treasure Valley,” said Brunelle, a Boise native who graduated from Bishop Kelly High School. “It’s easy to get to, the parking is free and it’s a good venue for professional basketball.”

Nampa officials say the team’s move back will be good for the city’s economy because people who come for basketball games will also come for dinner and entertainment.

The city wants restaurants, hotels and other businesses to locate in the area near the arena.

“You can’t score without an assist, and we are really going to need the assistance of the local community to score,” Brunelle said. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a valley to support a CBA team.”

This guide was produced by the Idaho Press-Tribune news staff. For questions or suggestions, call Assistant Managing Editor David Woolsey at 465-8112 or e-mail newsroom@idahopress.com.