After three months of heated community debate — and a divided vote Monday night — the Idaho Center is one step closer to changing hands.

The Nampa City Council voted 4-2 to hand over the center and its satellite buildings to the College of Western Idaho. The move could give CWI ownership of a 12,200-seat multipurpose arena, an adjoining outdoor amphitheater and a horse park. But CWI would also take over a complex that has operated in the red for two decades, and needs more than $25 million in deferred maintenance.

Council member Sebastian Griffin cast what turned out to be a swing vote in favor of the non-cash transfer, Haadiya Tariq of the Idaho Press reported Tuesday. Griffin said he came to Monday’s meeting undecided on the issue.

“It’s been completely dividing — it’s divided thi

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