The much-anticipated Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The center, a project more than ten years in the making, is being built in Snake River Landing at the corner of Pioneer Road and Event Center Drive.

Remarks at the May 18 groundbreaking were made by Idaho Governor Brad Little, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin, representatives from Senator Jim Risch and Mike Crapo’s offices, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, IFAD Executive Director Rob Spears, IFAD Board Chair Terry Gazdik and Mountain America’s VP of Sponsorships and Events Jason Smith.

The 48,000 square foot venue features Hero Arena with available seating up to 6,000 people and the Blue Cross of Idaho Conference Center which boasts a number of flexible seating configurations. Once completed, the event center will not only host conventions and concerts but also be home to a new Idaho Falls junior hockey team.

Idaho Falls Auditorium District (IFAD) announced a long-term naming-rights agreement with Mountain America Credit Union back in 2019. Following in May of 2021 was a partnership with Golden Valley Natural/ Hero Meat Snacks as they came on board as the naming-rights partner for Hero Arena. Then again in June 2021,  Blue Cross of Idaho become the official naming-rights partner of the Blue Cross of Idaho Conference Center.