The first event has yet to be scheduled, but the new playing field at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex is already making an impression.

The installation of the artificial surface at the former Cooke Field is in its final stages and a formal dedication is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 2.

And with the Hawaii football team hosting prospects over a series of weekend visits this month, the new field gives the Warriors staff something else to show off.

“;The recruits look out our windows and see that big Hawaii (logo) out there and the field, and a lot of them have mentioned that,”; Hawaii football coach Greg McMackin said. “;It shows the support that we're getting and I think it helps all the sports. It's really a positive influence on everything.”;

The Warriors coaches could hardly be blamed if they closed the shades in past years, when Cooke Field's deteriorating Astroturf was fading and eventually pulled up, leaving the black rubber padding exposed.

Work on the new field—the first renovation of the synthetic playing surface since the Astroturf field was installed some 25 years ago—began in the fall and the swath of dark green has enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the lower campus.

“;It's so central and it was such an eyesore,”; said Rainbow Wahine track and field coach Carmyn James, who spends much of her work time watching her athletes circle the field on the rainbow track. “;It really makes the whole athletic department look that much more professional.”;

The field will give the Warriors an on-campus alternative to their grass practice fields when the rains sweep through Manoa valley. There were several occasions late last season when the team practiced at nearby Saint Louis School when rain soaked the grass field.

Gov. Linda Lingle released $1.2 million for the project in August. After a dispute over the bid to perform the work, Sports Turf Hawaii was awarded the contract to install the new surface.

The $5 million donation made by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation was not used in the field renovation project. School officials are hopeful to get a matching appropriation to complete the plans for the facility—including construction on grandstands—unveiled when the donation was announced.

With Ching Field soon to be completed, Cooke Field will remain a part of the lower campus as the upper grass practice field where the football team practices will be given that designation. It will be the fourth site on campus to bear that name.

Among the projects still to come is the completion of the third-floor football coaches' offices in the athletic complex. The project is in the final design stages and the goal is to have the offices completed by the fall season.

Les Murakami Stadium is slated to undergo its third major project in as many years. After having the field and seats replaced the past two years, the roof is scheduled to be replaced this summer.

The Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex in also in line to have extensive renovation of its locker rooms.

With all of the construction set to commence along with various repair and maintenance work to be done, Teri Chang, the assistant athletic director for facilities, concedes the athletic department will have a work-in-progress look in the coming months.

“;But that's a good thing,”; she said.