SAINT PAUL MAYOR NORM COLEMAN SAYS DEMOLITION OF THE CITY'S EXISTING ARENA WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL FINANCING OF A REPLACEMENT BUILDING IS ARRANGED. A LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS CONSIDERING WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD FUND HALF OF THE 130 MILLION DOLLAR COST OF A NEW ARENA, WHICH WOULD BE HOME TO MINNESOTA'S NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE EXPANSION TEAM. YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) COLEMAN ASSURED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SAINT PAUL'S TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD ARENA WILL NOT BE TORN DOWN BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE'S BONDING COMMITTEE MAKES A FUNDING DECISION. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S WILLIAM WILCOXEN REPORTS... SAINT PAUL'S CONTRACT WITH THE MINNESOTA WILD CALLS FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE THE HOCKEY TEAM WITH A NEW ARENA READY FOR USE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000. TOWARD THAT