BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – The University of Vermont is hoping to build a new, $50 million to $60 million athletic arena for basketball and hockey games.

Preliminary blueprints have been drawn up, a pair of feasibility tests have been conducted and the board of trustees created a task force to study the proposal.

The proposed arena would nestle between the existing Patrick Gym and Gutterson Fieldhouse, said Athletic Director Robert Corran.

For hockey, it would hold 6,500 fans and, depending on the configuration, 2,500 to 7,200 for basketball.

The existing gym and fieldhouse would remain intact.

“This place was built for 4,000 students and we are now over 10,000,” said Corran. “The same lockers are in there as were there the day the place opened (in the early 1960s). Our fitness center is overcrowded, all the recreation space is overcrowded, our intramural leagues are oversubscribed. There is a demand for more space.

“We are moving ahead on this as a way to address all of the campus’ needs, both athletic and recreation.”

Construction costs would not be paid by tax dollars. The money would be raised with donations, corporate sponsors and student fees.

The existing hockey arena in Gutterson Fieldhouse holds 4,035 and has sold out 57 consecutive hockey games, spanning three seasons, and 234 of the past 313 games. The waiting list for season tickets is more than 20 years.

Basketball players say the gym is like a high school facility.

And there aren’t enough options for students who want to use athletic facilities.

UVM President Dan Fogel said a new arena proposal could reach the trustees by early next year. He said it would be years before the project is completed.

“Part of my work in the fund raising campaign for the university has been always to have a sharp eye out for a person or persons who might be the lead donor for a project in this sector of the university,” Fogel said. “We probably need something in the range of a $20 million lead gift to really move an investment like this forward.”