Construction on a $35.9 million project to replace the cramped press box and add luxury suites at stadium could be the first piece of a major expansion to the 30,000-seat stadium, where Boise State has lost just twice since 2001. The addition of suites, club sections and loge boxes will add about 2,000 seats, increasing the stadium's capacity to 32,000.

The athletic department presented its plans Monday to the board at its monthly meeting in Boise — the same day the Broncos achieved their highest ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, finishing the season at No. 5 and as the only undefeated Division I-A team in the country. The school expects to complete the renovations before the start of the 2008 football season.

The press box and luxury seat renovations should be the first phase of a larger stadium expansion that increases the stadium's capacity to more than 40,000 seats, head coach Chris Peterson told a booster's meeting Monday.

"That press box is awesome, but I've got to tell you, I've already moved past that," The Idaho Statesman quoted Petersen as saying. "I'm on to how we're going to expand the stadium."

A continued plan to add thousands more seats, perhaps in the north corners of the stadium facing downtown, or the horseshoe opening at the south end zone, could go before the board in the next two years. But Peterson said that depends on selling out every home game next season.

"It's got to be the hardest ticket in all of Idaho to get," Petersen said.

The university has contracted with Layton Construction of Salt Lake City to build the current addition of luxury seats and a new press box, athletic director Gene Bleymaier said.

"This has been a multiyear effort to get to this point," he said. "It's very exciting to now see this come to fruition and to be able to start the project."

Boise State athletic officials must return to the board at the Feb. 22-23 meeting for permission to issue $28 million in bonds to finance the construction.

The other $7.9 million will be covered through the athletic department budget.

The department has raised more than $5 million for the project and the remaining money could come from the Broncos Bowl Championship Series payout if necessary.

Boise State expects to net $3 million to $3.5 million from its Fiesta Bowl appearance.

The Broncos also must raise $1.27 million to pay for plush furniture, big-screen televisions and other amenities in the luxury boxes.

The school will pay off $28 million in debt over 30 years through revenue expected from leases. The plan calls for yearly payments from the athletic department for academic capital improvements.

"I haven't done a survey, but I think this may be unprecedented," university president Bob Kustra told the board. "This may be a new way of marrying the priorities and goals of the academic programs on campus with the priorities and goals of the athletic programs on campus."

The board voted 6-0 in favor of the project, with one abstention.