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University of New Mexico Athletics Department officials want to see 17,000 fans fill The Pit seats as they have for decades.

A massive improvement project costing up to $25 million is seen as a key component in making a 20th-century Pit remain viable into the next generation.

Proposed improvements to University Arena are among 19 projects included in UNM's 2007-08 Institutional Bond Package, which the Board of Regents is expected to approve today, said Mel Eaves, chair of the regents' Finance and Facilities Committee.

The UNM Athletics Department has given the Finance and Facilities Committee a vision of how the proposals would make the revered arena - perhaps the best-known building in New Mexico - a more appealing attraction.

"It will create a more enjoyable environment, which will help attract and attain fans and generate additional revenue," said Paul Krebs, UNM athletics director.

The Pit generated about $3 million in ticket sales for men's basketball and $800,000 for women's basketball last year, Krebs said.

The arena has long been the cash cow for UNM athletics, but officials have lately grown concerned that it is becoming dated.

Built in 1966 for a little more than $1 million, The Pit - host of the 1983 NCAA Final Four - needs improvements to make it a contemporary facility, Krebs said.

"It's a 40-year-old building that needs to be modernized, improved and enhanced," he said. "The importance is to renovate that building so that it is around for another 30 or 40 years."

Krebs and Associate Athletics Director Greg Remington said in order to have more national championship events at The Pit, there needs to be some refurbishing.

"A lot of the amenities we have now are very outdated. It's too crowded," Remington said. "The NCAA told us the men's tournament will not return to The Pit the way it exists right now."

UNM has been host to a variety of NCAA regional events over the years, but it finds itself in competition with newer venues. The last major renovation to the facility came in the 1970s, when a mezzanine level was added to what was a 15,000-seat arena.

The proposed renovations and additions would expand the arena's concourse; provide new entry lobbies, ticketing windows, locker and weight rooms, and scoreboards; create bigger restrooms and add amenities such as a restaurant, bar and lounge area.

The bond package adds up to about $160 million in projects. That includes a renovation proposal for University Stadium for about $20 million.

Other projects on the list include student housing improvements, new parking structures, and renovations to various buildings including Jonson Gallery and Hodgin Hall.

Athletics officials said they are not certain when the renovation will start once the bond package is approved.

Krebs said The Pit is an important arena that needs to be preserved and restored.

"It's a great building to watch games. The building lends itself to a great environment," he said. "There's an intimacy there because the fans are so close to the floor. It is well documented as one of the great basketball arenas in the country."