Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday that the higher estimated cost of installing a new artificial surface at Aloha Stadium would be a "worthwhile investment." Guv still wants new turf
Cayetano says FieldTurf
is a "worthwhile investment"
despite additional costs
By Bruce Dunford
Associated PressThe governor commented on concerns by Stadium Authority members who said at a Thursday meeting the estimated $1.5 million to $2 million in additional costs may prevent the installation being made in time for the Pro Bowl on Feb. 3.
"That number has been bandied about for a while," said Cayetano. "I think what's happened is that we know now that FieldTurf is something that is a worthwhile investment."
The Stadium Authority on June 13 approved the installation of FieldTurf to replace the 3-year-old AstroTurf at the stadium and set an Aug. 2 deadline, but on July 15 agreed to have the resurfacing done between the new Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day and the Pro Bowl.
The change was proposed by the National Football League and University of Hawaii football coach June Jones, who say the new surface will reduce the potential for injuries.
FieldTurf Chief Executive Officer John Gillman said the new turf would be installed at a cost of $877,500, of which the Hawaii Tourism Authority agreed to pay $500,000, with FieldTurf and the NFL contributing the remaining costs.
Contractors then said it would take between $1 million and $2 million to prepare the stadium floor for the FieldTurf installation. It's unclear who will pay that cost.
Stadium officials said they didn't want to authorize any resurfacing work until the full costs are known.
Not only will the FieldTurf satisfy the needs of the NFL, it'll allow the stadium management to offer the facility to FIFA, soccer's international governing board, for soccer matches, Cayetano said.
"FIFA did not certify Aloha Stadium because we were using AstroTurf. They don't do that anywhere, but FieldTurf is something very acceptable to them, so there's a plus to all of this," he said.
The NFL wants the state to exert its best effort to get the surface changed, "and I think it'll get done," Cayetano said.
"We're still going to work with the NFL and FieldTurf to try and negotiate a sharing of any additional cost," he said.
Meanwhile, members of the Stadium Authority plan to meet with the HTA in the next several weeks to explore getting more money for the project.
Cayetano noted that the HTA has the wide authority to spend its money without a specific legislative appropriation.Christmas Day and the Pro Bowl.
The change was proposed by the National Football League and University of Hawaii football coach June Jones, who say the new surface will reduce the potential for injuries.
FieldTurf Chief Executive Officer John Gillman said the new turf would be installed at a cost of $877,500, of which the Hawaii Tourism Authority agreed to pay $500,000, with FieldTurf and the NFL contributing the remaining costs.
Contractors then said it would take between $1 million and $2 million to prepare the stadium floor for the FieldTurf installation. It's unclear who will pay that cost.
Stadium officials said they didn't want to authorize any resurfacing work until the full costs are known.
Not only will the FieldTurf satisfy the needs of the NFL, it'll allow the stadium management to offer the facility to FIFA, soccer's international governing board, for soccer matches, Cayetano said.
"FIFA did not certify Aloha Stadium because we were using AstroTurf. They don't do that anywhere, but FieldTurf is something very acceptable to them, so there's a plus to all of this," he said.
The NFL wants the state to exert its best effort to get the surface changed, "and I think it'll get done," Cayetano said.
"We're still going to work with the NFL and FieldTurf to try and negotiate a sharing of any additional cost," he said.
Meanwhile, members of the Stadium Authority plan to meet with the HTA in the next several weeks to explore getting more money for the project.