NFL still A top league executive said he is "optimistic" that a playing surface preferred by NFL players will be installed at Aloha Stadium in time for next February's Pro Bowl.
pushing for turf
A league senior VP
is here trying to get
Fieldturf in by Aug. 2By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comNFL Senior Vice President of Special Events Jim Steeg spoke to the Honolulu Quarterback Club yesterday as an effort began to install Fieldturf at the stadium by Aug. 2.
In its contract with the Hawaii Tourism Authority more than two years ago, the NFL negotiated for a playing surface to its liking -- either grass or Fieldturf.
But the HTA and the Stadium Authority only began meeting on the issue three weeks ago and the Stadium Authority approved installation of Fieldturf last week.
Fieldturf CEO John Gilman said he does not know if his company can meet the Aug. 2 deadline set by the Stadium Authority. The first football game of the new season at Aloha Stadium is Aug. 24.
Steeg dodged when asked if no Fieldturf this year would mean no Pro Bowl in Hawaii's future.
"I'm optimistic," Steeg said. "We're looking at the opportunity to get something done."
One of the Stadium Authority's conditions on allowing the installation is that it does not have to pay for it. The HTA voted to provide up to $500,000. Fieldturf quoted a price of $877,500, but that was before it was realized extensive preparation work would have to be done to the stadium floor before installation.
The NFL has agreed to share in the cost, but who will pay how much is still being negotiated.
"We're still working on that now," Steeg said. "We will in some way, shape or form, contribute."
Preparation work, including shaving the stadium's asphalt crown to a level surface, could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take several weeks.
Before that is even attempted, a geological survey of the earth under the stadium must be completed. That will likely be done by tomorrow, HTA Sports Manager Tau Harrington said.
"We're working toward getting the surveying done," Harrington said. "Those results will be telling. It will tell us how much earth needs to be moved."
Gilman said he would decide after the surveying whether to install the surface this summer or not. The installation process itself takes two weeks, he said, and Fieldturf cut to Aloha Stadium's specifications is ready to go in a warehouse in Georgia.
Gilman and Steeg both said they hope the deadline can be extended, especially since there are 22 days from the deadline to the first high school game of the year.
"The Stadium Authority determined that deadline," Harrington said. "It's my understanding only they can change it."
The Stadium Authority assigned three members to help Fieldturf in any way they could, such as attaining general contracting permits and navigating the state's business procurement laws.
"Everyone's agreed to move forward," said Bill McConnell, NFL Pro Bowl coordinator. "There are some tough deadlines, but if everyone works together it should be OK."
Steeg spent most of yesterday's Quarterback Club meeting talking about the positives of the 22-year relationship between the Pro Bowl and Hawaii, and indicated that the NFL wants to keep the game here.
Overtures have been made by other cities, including Orlando, Fla., and Los Angeles.
"Competition is good. There is interest, but there have been no in-depth discussions. We're in the third year (of a five-year) contract, so it's not the right time," Steeg said.