BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS -- The Reds, Bengals and Xavier University are all getting new sports facilities. Northern Kentucky University may be next.
Administrators at the Highland Heights school are looking at a possible new campus arena, one worthy of Norse sports teams and other events, to replace Regents Hall.
NKU Vice President for Administration Carla Chance said early discussions have started with a Denver consultant about paying for arenas at universities.
She expects more discussions and a possible formal study this fall. The current state budget allows NKU to use up to $500,000 of the school's own money for a study.
"What we've learned in most of the discussions is that . . . most of these higher-education facilities are not self-supporting," Ms. Chance said.
The arena, estimated to cost $26 million and seat 8,000 people, would need to generate revenue through conferences and entertainment events, she said. Private funding, perhaps by selling rights to name the arena, would be needed.
"I know that there is community support," Ms. Chance said. A number of people commented on the need for the arena last year when President James Votruba took office.
Ms. Chance said the university will work on the project with community groups such as Forward Quest, which has a number of goals for Northern Kentucky's future development. One is an on-campus arena for a major sports franchise that would include a high-school sports hall of fame.
"This is not just an institutional priority," she said. "We hope it's something the community will embrace."
For sports fans, the arena would be a huge boost over the current Regents Hall, which seats 2,000.
Both NKU men's and women's basketball teams are annually in the running for the NCAA tournament. The men's team has become a perennial contender for the NCAA Division II title.
"A lot of people just don't come around (to games) because they know it's got limited seating," said state Rep. Jim Callahan, D-Wilder and House majority caucus chairman.
Regents Hall also is a tight fit for community events. Graduation is held in segments because the hall is too small to hold all graduates and a full audience.
Mr. Callahan said state funding of an arena is a possibility, but he believes private funding also is essential.
The major need, Mr. Callahan said, is on the academic side, to have a center large enough for the university's graduation.
