COVINGTON — Two of Kentucky's top legislative leaders said Thursday they will support an effort to fund and build a $30 million arena on Northern Kentucky University's Highland Heights campus.

        But Kentucky House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said the project likely won't be considered until the 2002 legislative session. That's because the legislature is not expected to fund any major projects during the 30-day session beginning Feb. 6.

        “I'm for it,” Mr. Richards said. “I think it's a great idea. I think it's needed and it's something other (state) universities have.

        Mr. Richards is one of a handful of lawmakers involved in what bills and projects are brought to vote during legislative sessions.

        Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Charlie Borders, R-Russell, said he would be “very receptive to looking at” approving funding for the arena. But a price tag has not been determined, and the state will have to be able to afford the arena before he would vote on it, he added.

        “It depends on what kind of (budget) surplus we have” in 2002, Mr. Borders said. “But this is a strong area economic development-wise, and we've got to make sure it stays that way.”

        Both lawmakers were in Covington to address the Kentucky Association of Counties, or KACO, conference at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, which ends today.

        Their support is considered key to the project, because they influence members of their parties in Frankfort.        

$10 million needed

        Two Northern Kentucky lawmakers — House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, and Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills —- announced plans last month for a multipurpose arena at NKU.

        Mr. Callahan and Mr. Draud said that the community would have to raise about $10 million. As much as $5 million to $6 million could come from selling the naming rights of the arena to a corporation.

        The new arena would hold not just NKU sporting events, but also concerts, high school basketball, and business and community events. It would seat 6,500 but could be expanded to 10,000.

        “Gov. (Paul) Patton said, if the community rallies around a new arena, he would consider it for his 2002 budget,” Mr. Callahan said at the announcement.

        That would put the arena on schedule to open in 2004, he said

Trickling down

        Mr. Borders said a majority of Kentucky lawmakers would likely support the project because investing money in Northern Kentucky trickles down to the rest of the state.

        He pointed to a vote he made in the early 1990s to provide state money for an expansion at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a project that helped spur the growth of Delta Air Lines, DHL and Comair while enticing major corporations like Toyota, Fidelity, Citicorp and the others to move or expand operations in the region.

        “Look at what happened as a result of that airport project, which I'm proud to say I supported and spoke in favor of on the (Senate) floor,” Mr. Borders said.

        “I voted for the airport because I know there will be days when we'll need help in eastern Kentucky, and the people of Northern Kentucky can help us then,” he said.

        NKU's Regents Hall only holds 2,000 and is so small that graduation must be held at Cincinnati's Firstar Center, where the Dec. 16 commencement ceremonies will take place.

        “Our move to the Firstar was necessitated because we have outgrown all facilities in Northern Kentucky, including our own Regents Hall,” said NKU President James Votruba. “My hope is that in the near future we will be able to build a special events center at NKU that will allow graduation to return to campus.”

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