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New BYU-Idaho Center dedicated
REXBURG, Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho will unveil more than 675,000 square feet of new or remodeled facilities Dec. 17, as it hosts the first meeting in its new 15,000-seat auditorium. President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, will dedicate the BYU-Idaho Center and Hyrum Manwaring Student Center at 10 a.m. Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will also be in attendance.
The new BYU-Idaho Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
A gym inside the new BYU-Idaho Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
“These buildings have been constructed primarily for the purposes of gathering,” said BYU-Idaho President Kim B. Clark. “Students and employees will be strengthened spiritually, academically, physically, and socially as they have opportunities to gather together. We are grateful to have these buildings on our campus.”
Renovated BYU-Idaho University Store.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
The newly renovated Manwaring Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
The BYU-Idaho Center provides opportunities to gather primarily for spiritual instruction in the new auditorium and for recreation in the multi-purpose gymnasium that includes room for 10 sports courts and a suspended indoor jogging track. In addition to athletic activities, the multi-use area will be used for service projects, employee gatherings, ecclesiastical meetings, academic projects, and a variety of other university needs. A skybridge also connects the BYU-Idaho Center and the John W. Hart Building.
Inside the new BYU-Idaho Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
Interior of Manwaring Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
BYU-Idaho Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
Construction on the Manwaring Center, originally built in 1966, was broken into three phases. The first phase included an addition on the north side of the building, where the new University Store is located. The second phase consisted of the interior construction and renovation of the kitchen and food court, including the opening of an 18,000-square-foot dining area, known as The Crossroads. Other additions to the north and west completed the third phase, as workers built a skybridge connecting the Manwaring Center to the David O. McKay Library. Other third-phase projects included the addition of a convenience store, a dance studio suite, and a new area for the Activities Program.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
A sitting area in the Manwaring Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
A view of the auditorium from the stage in the BYU-Idaho Center.
Photo by BYU-Idaho University Communications
“We know these buildings will provide great spaces for gathering, but I don’t think we can yet envision the final set of blessings they will bring,” said Rulon Nielsen, BYU-Idaho’s facilities planning and construction director. “In addition to the immediate blessings students will see, I believe the Lord has specific uses for these buildings that will develop and be defined over the next several years.”
Dedication exercises will be streamed live online at
