ANNAPOLIS - University of Maryland President William E. Kirwan told lawmakers Tuesday that a $100 million plan to replace Cole Field House is "fiscally responsible" and would not drain money from academic facilities.

But some members of the House Appropriations Committee appeared hesitant to commit to the project, for which the state could eventually be asked to contribute $60 million.

"I think it's important for a state that's concerned with academic excellence to go carefully when it's considering this particular project," said Del. Kenneth Holt, R-Baltimore County.

"We need to make sure academic-related projects are fully funded and aren't jeopardized in any way by the building of a new field house."

Kirwan vowed to committee members that a new field house would not drain money from current academic projects like the Chemistry Building and the Applied Sciences Building. But he said the field house needs to be dealt with now.

"I have become convinced that we do need to build a new facility," Kirwan said. "Renovating is not practical."

A university report estimated that it would cost $106.4 million to build a new arena on the north end of the College Park campus. Renovating Cole -- which needs a new roof and air conditioning, has lead paint and asbestos and does not conform to many code requirements -- would cost $95.3 million, the study said.

Renovating the 41-year-old field house would also require that athletic administration offices and basketball games and practices be moved to different sites.

Kirwan said the university looked into using the USAirways Arena for games, but the arena's managers plan to host concerts and amateur sports events there and cannot accommodate Maryland basketball games. The report said MCI Center is already hosting the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitals, a new women's professional basketball team and the Georgetown Hoyas.

A new field house on the College Park campus would have 17,000 seats, compared to the 13,800 seats in Cole.

Kirwan told committee members that the university plans to raise $45 million and hopes the state can pay the rest of the bill, which is currently estimated at $106 million.

University Athletics Director Debbie Yow said the school plans to raise part of its share through a fee students pay for intramural sports, recreational facilities and shuttle bus service.

She said the university also wants to raise money by selling naming rights to the building or rooms in the arena. One couple has already donated $1 million to have the Academic Support Unit named after them, Yow said.

But delegates remained wary.

"There are other University of Maryland facilities like the dental school and the law school that I think are more appropriate," said Del. Joan Cadden, D-Anne Arundel. "They're going to have to do a little more convincing as far as I'm concerned."

She is concerned about the price tag of the arena and the possibility that some of the cost could be added to student fees.

"I think they should reach out to the community for funding," Cadden said.

But Del. Talmadge Branch, D-Baltimore, said he was sold on the idea of a new field house.

"They presented a good case as for the needs for the facility. Personally, I think they'll get something," he said.

Kirwan was asking the committee yesterday for $4.5 million to begin detailed planning on the project. He said a committee will decide what do to with Cole if the university builds the new arena.

The field house, once a state-of-the-art arena, is one of the oldest stadiums in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It has held two NCAA finals and a host of tournaments and games.

Copyright © University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism