HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — State funding for Northern Kentucky University's planned arena, a project that appeared dead this year, has been given new life.

        House Majority Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, expects Gov. Paul Patton to include money for the $43.9 million arena in the budget he will present to state lawmakers Monday.

        Mr. Callahan, a member of the House Budget Committee and a close ally of Mr. Patton, said Thursday he was not sure of the exact amount, but it will be “more than just money for planning, but not the full amount.”

        “We're hopeful for some Phase One this year and then fully fund the project through Phase Two in the 2003 session,” said Mr. Callahan, a longtime supporter of the on-campus arena.

        “Of course, you never know what can happen when we start voting on the budget; but this is a good project that will benefit not just NKU but the entire community,” said Mr. Callahan.

        Mr. Patton has called a special session next week to pass the budget, which lawmakers failed to do during the 2002 regular legislative session that ended Monday.

        Meanwhile, NKU President Dr. James Votruba said Thursday the university is negotiating selling the naming rights to the arena to a Greater Cincinnati company.

        “That door is open,” Dr. Votruba said. He declined to name the company until the deal is done. “At this point we're talking about levels of support, not whether this particular company is interested in support.”

        Dr. Votruba would not divulge details of the negotiations. But university officials and lawmakers have previously said the naming rights could fetch $4 million to $5 million.

        NKU plans a 6,500-seat arena that would provide a venue for university sports and other events, along with concerts, high school sports and activities for the region.

        The project was not talked about much during the regular session because Mr. Patton and legislative leaders have said the slowing economy cut state revenues and made finding money for major projects difficult.

        But as the budget has been reworked the past several days, “everything is back on the table,” Mr. Callahan said.

        Mr. Patton; House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green; Senate President David Williams; and other top lawmakers have said they support the project as long as the money is available.

        “I have been optimistic throughout the session that at some level the special events center would receive funding,” Dr. Votruba said.

        “My feeling is the region needs it, the university certainly needs it and the governor and members of (legislative) leadership have committed to it from day one.”

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