Several major questions remain unanswered 26 days before the deadline for Fieldturf to be installed at Aloha Stadium. Fieldturf saga
deadline nearsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comHow much? Who pays what? Can it physically be done in the time left?
And if it can't, will the NFL pull the Pro Bowl out of Hawaii? Or will grass be put in for that game only?
"I think we're all still hoping," Robin Campaniano of the Stadium Authority said yesterday. "But it does become more difficult as time goes on."
If the artificial surface of the NFL's choice is to be put in place before football season begins, Fieldturf CEO John Gilman must decide to do so soon. The company has solicited contractors to level the stadium surface to prepare the field for installation, but it's still not known how much work needs to be done -- and if it can be done and allow enough time for the actual installation.
Gilman did not return a call from the Star-Bulletin yesterday, but Fieldturf had secured the services of RM Towill, a local engineering firm, after a bidding process completed last week.
"It would purely be guessing to say if it's going to be done or not," Stadium Authority Chairman Eddie Hamada said. "We have to wait until we find out where we're going with this."
The next scheduled event at Aloha Stadium is a high school football doubleheader Aug. 25. The Stadium Authority's deadline for installation of the new surface is Aug. 5. Hamada said he does not know if the deadline can be extended.
Campaniano said preparations are being made so that the proper state and city and county construction permits can be secured if the project is a go.
"The real challenge is because everyone is under the gun to get everything done as soon as possible," Campaniano said. "There are obviously a lot of gaps of information. But at this point we're all trying to run as fast as we can to get everything in line.
"Another thing to remember is the governor is asking about this from time-to-time," he added. "He's very much involved and wants to see it through. Everybody does."
Gilman originally estimated the cost of installation to be $877,500 and that it could be done in two weeks. But that was before it was determined work would have to be done to level the stadium surface.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority, which agreed to provide a playing surface to the NFL's liking, voted last month to provide $500,000 to the project. The NFL has also said it will pay for part of it.
But part of what amount?
"It's hard to be so late in the game and not know how much the cost will be, and when it will be completed," Campaniano said. "In any kind of construction process, it's always better to know that on the front end."