It is wonderfully generous of Kansas University supporters to donate $4 million to build an addition to Allen Fieldhouse, but planners of that addition should be aware that building onto the east side of the historic arena will be a tricky business.

There are at least a thousand ways to mess up the job and probably relatively few designs that actually would enhance the limestone building that bears the name of Coach Phog Allen. Plans for the addition already have been approved by a KU committee but have not been released to the public. Considering the initial concern over the fact the new KU Marching Jayhawks band uniforms have black pants, it will be interesting to see what KU fans think of the fieldhouse plans.

The idea is to upgrade the facade primarily as a way to help in recruiting basketball players to KU. The addition will include new trophy cases, a new Naismith Room in which to entertain donors, a “Jayhawk Den” in which to entertain recruits, a new ticket office and a hall of fame to honor KU athletes in all sports. Some basketball fans may question whether all of those facilities are necessary, but many KU fans and friends probably are far more concerned with the exterior appearance of the addition than with the interior amenities.

According to one of the donors, “although all of us old-timers love it dearly,” the fieldhouse “doesn’t have the same visual effect of these fancy new stadiums.” Some of us actually prefer the traditional, historical look of Allen Fieldhouse to the appearance of some of those “fancy new stadiums,” but time will tell. If it is done in a way that is sensitive to the traditional fieldhouse limestone, the addition could be a lovely enhancement, but planners should understand that “new” isn’t always better.