Fieldturf almost
a done deal

NFL and Fieldturf lawyers
are hammering out the final details

UH football notebook

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

It's a week before Christmas, so there are seven litigating days left before the work to begin installing Fieldturf at Aloha Stadium is supposed to begin.

Two weeks ago, the NFL and Fieldturf CEO John Gilman called installing the new surface between the end of next week's Hawaii Bowl and the start of the Feb. 2 Pro Bowl a done deal. But lawyers representing the league and Fieldturf remained in discussions with attorneys for the state last night, according to Hawaii Tourism Authority executive director Rex Johnson.

Johnson said he thinks the major points -- including money -- have been hammered out.

"The attorneys are meeting as we speak," Johnson said last night. "The engineers are ready, the installers are ready. Now it's in the hands of the legal folks. I don't think it's a financial thing."

Johnson said the meetings would probably continue today.

The playing surface at Aloha Stadium has been an issue since 1999, when the NFL's new Pro Bowl contract with the HTA called for replacing the stadium's AstroTurf with a surface more to the league's liking. It heated up last spring when coaches, including Hawaii's June Jones, complained about players getting injured on the current surface.

The Stadium Authority was resistant to changing the surface because it is still under warranty, but then-Gov. Ben Cayetano pushed for the switch.

Gilman estimated that Fieldturf could be installed for $877,500, but he did not take into account the cost of preparation to the stadium floor that was later estimated at $1 to $2 million.

The HTA earmarked $500,000 to the project. The NFL and Fieldturf are taking care of the rest of the costs, Gilman said earlier this month.

Hawaiian Dredging is contracted to do the prep work. Gilman said that should take two weeks and a double-sized crew can then complete installation within two weeks.

Gilman, who is based in Montreal, could not be reached for comment late yesterday. A call to Hawaiian Dredging yesterday afternoon was not returned.

Johnson said he did not know how or when the negotiations would be completed.

"I wish I did. I'd sleep better," he said.