Idaho

Tenants of historic Pocatello building opening what they say is Idaho's largest indoor soccer complex – East Idaho News

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

Tenants of historic Pocatello building opening what they say is Idaho's largest indoor soccer complex – East Idaho News

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

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POCATELLO

Idaho’s largest indoor soccer facility will be housed in Pocatello’s old Naval Ordnance Plant

Aerial view of the Titan Center in Pocatello. One of the buildings houses the old Naval Ordnance Plant, which is being transformed into a new soccer complex. | Courtesy Industrial Realty Group

POCATELLO – A historic building on the north side of Pocatello will soon be the home of what a local soccer club says is Idaho’s largest indoor soccer facility.

The 120,000-square-foot Portneuf Valley Soccer Club Sports Complex is slated to open in March inside the old Naval Ordnance Plant at 669 Quinn Road.

Greater Idaho Falls Chamber CEO Paul Baker is the club’s executive director and he tells EastIdahoNews.com the soccer complex will accommodate student and adult leagues throughout eastern Idaho.

“We have a certain amount of time carved out for PVSC teams, but we’ve had lots of folks reaching out about adult leagues, co-ed leagues, and other sports clubs wanting to use the facility,” Baker says. “Players for any sport can use the facility in Pocatello.”

There will be four 9v9 size fields (slightly smaller than a full size soccer field) with netting and padding lining the outside. There will also be an area for coaching and a seating area for spectators. A store, office space, conference rooms and classrooms for coaches and soccer club staff will occupy the rest of the space.

RELATED | Idaho Falls Chamber’s new CEO outlines goals for the future

Baker, a native of England, has been involved in coaching soccer for many years. Before moving to Idaho Falls in 2021, he reached out to Idaho Falls High School Soccer Coach Ryan Cook because his son was interested in joining the team.

Baker’s son ended up finishing high school in England, but Baker continued networking with Cook. They developed a friendship and Baker later helped him coach the Idaho Falls team.

Cook recently became a soccer coach in Pocatello and that’s when Baker was introduced to the Portneuf Valley Soccer Club.

The lack of indoor facilities for soccer and other sports is what prompted Baker to pursue this project.

“I’ve been working behind the scenes with the president (of the club) and the board, trying to get the structure right and get them in a good financial position to invest in a facility like this,” Baker says.

RELATED | Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce celebrating 120th anniversary

Brent Wilson with TOK Commercial brought the old Naval Ordnance building to his attention and Baker liked what he saw.

“It’s a little quirky in its layout and the building is old, but there’s something nice about converting a building of historical importance and bringing young people inside to play sports,” he says.

renovation pics — Montage of photos showing the renovation and construction underway at the old Naval Ordnance Plant. | Courtesy Paul Baker

The fact that it’s visible from Interstate 15 and is centrally located off Yellowstone Highway is another thing that appealed to him.

RELATED | New company acquires 23-building campus in Pocatello that will be called ‘Titan Center’

The space is one of 23 buildings that make up what is now the Titan Center. Industrial Realty Group bought the property in 2021 in hopes of attracting commercial tenants. The soccer complex will be the site’s first occupant to begin operation.

“The site has an incredible history, but we truly believe the best is yet to come,” IRG President Stuart Lichter said in a 2021 news release.

The building’s history and future in Pocatello

The Naval Ordnance Plant was first commissioned in 1942 and was used to manufacture and refurbish guns for battleships fighting overseas during World War II.

GUN SHOP PIC — The big gun shop at the Pocatello Naval Ordnance Plant sometime in the 1940s. | US Navy photo taken from Rick Just

RELATED | Fifth naval ship to carry Idaho’s name will be christened and begin maiden voyage next month

That same year, the U.S. Navy selected about 173,130 acres of land 60 miles northwest of Pocatello as a naval proving ground, a place to fire and test the reconditioned battle guns taken from the Pocatello plant.

This desert site near Arco is now the home of the Idaho National Laboratory.

RELATED | How a naval proving ground became a national lab that’s ‘changing the world’s energy future’

The Pocatello plant was decommissioned in the 1950s. It sat vacant for many years.

Baker plans to highlight its history for those who visit.

“There’s some original signage in the building that we want to restore and make sure there’s still some historical reference to what took place in that ordnance plant,” says Baker.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held once it’s complete.

The indoor aspect is phase one of the project. Baker’s goal is to add outdoor fields in the near future.

As the initial phase winds down, Baker is excited to unveil it to the community and to give local athletes a place to play year-round.

“This facility is a game-changer for soccer in eastern Idaho,” PVSC President Cristie Stone says in a news release. “It’s a testament to the vision and commitment of our club, our partners, and the community. We’re investing in our players and are determined to raise the bar for soccer in Idaho.”

ordnance construction — Renovations at the Naval Ordnance Plant. | Courtesy Paul Baker

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

New indoor pickleball courts opening in old Pocatello retail space

Castle under construction in Pocatello will be a venue for weddings and parties

Local Big Lots preparing for closure amid deal to keep some stores open

Outdoor ice rink promises a magical experience for visitors of all ages

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Idaho

Turn shopping into a tradition at the Spring Bazaar in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Turn shopping into a tradition at the Spring Bazaar in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News

IDAHO FALLS — A local event can be your one-stop shop if you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift, Easter basket fillers, and spring or summer decor.

The Spring Bazaar is returning to Bonneville High School this year on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s free to enter. You can “shop, eat, mingle, and repeat” at the craft fair, according to the flyer.

The first 100 people through the door will get a free cinnamon roll from Mrs. Powell’s.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the house because the weather is getting nice and spend some time with your girlfriends and your family,” said Haylie Rowberry, the event coordinator.

A vendor at the Spring Bazaar last year. | Courtesy Haylie Rowberry

A fun giveaway will be happening during the day, and it will be a scavenger hunt.

“We did something similar last year, and it was a big hit, so we thought we would try it again,” Rowberry told EastIdahoNews.com.

Here’s how the scavenger hunt works. DJ Guido — who runs the music at the event — is giving away an item from a vendor every hour. Participants have to find the booth selling the item, get a claim ticket to win and bring it back to him.

There will be 120 vendors at the Spring Bazaar. New this year is a business called Cow Friend Soap, which is a bath and body booth. Another one is Turtle Tea, which sells boba drinks. Then there’s Beau & Bows, which sells matching hairbows and neckties for the whole family.

See the list below of all the vendors that will be there.

“I love that it’s an opportunity to support the local community and support small businesses and local entrepreneurs,” Rowberry said.

There are junior vendors, who are under 18, like Brysens Ball Claws. It’s 3D printed golf accessories.

There’s also one vendor who is Deaf, and he’s an artist, Rowberry said. His name is Frankie Grant.

“He does drawings and postcards. He makes his own bookmarks and kids’ painting kits. He is very talented, and so I am excited to have him this year,” she said.

There will be Girl Scout cookies there, too and plenty of food vendors to choose from.  

The Spring Bazaar has grown in popularity over the years. Rowberry said she’s created a slogan for the event, “Spring Bazaar: where shopping turns into traditions.”

“The Spring Bazaar has become a tradition for many. I have talked to several families that have been coming for years and years, and they look forward to it every year,” she added.

Rowberry puts on the Fall Bazaar, which will be happening in November.