Arena delay may prove costly.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Joe Gonyea For The Register-Guard

I have lived in Eugene since 1967 and have witnessed significant change and growth over the years.

Unfortunately, most of these changes came about only after heated debate that left permanent scars on people on both sides of the issues. The Hult Center is a wonderful community asset, but it is also a vivid example of these past debacles. Local fights over the federal courthouse, Sacred Heart Medical Center, the Eugene library, Hynix and the Ferry Street Bridge are also examples.

We are now embroiled in a debate over the proposed University of Oregon basketball arena. Dissidents are even trying to tell proposed donors where their dollars should go. The donors did not offer an `athletics or academics' contribution. The absence of the arena project will not solve the academic needs of the university, but will only force the UO Athletic Department to share the pain.

I feel that those giving their dollars - be it to the music school, a church, a homeless shelter or the athletic department - should be thanked for their generosity, not chastised. What a travesty it would be if these benefactors were to walk away from the new arena.

Phil and Penny Knight time and time again have exhibited their generosity to athletics, academics, the UO library, the law school and numerous other worthy causes throughout the state. They should be praised for what they have done and what they propose to do.

McArthur Court must be replaced, and the price tag will only escalate. Imagine what will happen if substantial private donations for this project are unavailable: Instead of the university paying a small portion of the cost through a self-amortizing bond issue, the cost eventually could have to come out of the general university funds.

Instead, as envisioned shortly before the project was suspended, the university would have gained a $180 million facility by assuming $50 million in public debt. For this investment, the university would gain a new arena, two practice gyms and an academic center. All of these facilities would have benefits for the university as a whole.

McArthur Court will need to be replaced in the next five to 10 years, and if we don't take advantage of this opportunity, the entire amount for whatever scaled-down project is acceptable would still cost the university more money. Further, it is my understanding that part of the $180 million price tag was due to the cost of trying to replicate the feel of Mac Court, as well as building a structure that could be expanded easily in the future for minimal cost.

A new Mac Court or new basketball arena project would bring new jobs to the community and added revenue for existing businesses. The new arena will bring a meaningful number of new events - such as sporting events, concerts and trade shows that will aid in economic improvement for the university and Eugene as a whole.

The new arena would be an asset to the university, the students, the city and all of its citizens. It would allow the athletic department to continue to be one of the few athletic departments in the nation that is entirely self-funded.

Let's hope the UO administration, the faculty, the donors and our elected officials can get this project back on the table for all of us to enjoy, and with as little backbiting and petty jealousy as possible.

Joe Gonyea is CEO of Springfield-based Timber Products Company and a longtime supporter of the University of Oregon's athletic and academic programs.