Now that they’ve (mostly) built it, who (else) will come?

As worthy of outrage as it is, the Ching Field fiasco invites cynicism as we are never surprised by blown deadlines and cost overruns common to construction projects, especially state-run ones.

My observation that with just a few more delays the 2,500-seat facility could be done just in time for the University of Hawaii football team’s Division III debut in a few years made athletic director Ben Jay chuckle and wince simultaneously.

I was joking, Ben. I hope.

But now that it’s almost ready for actual use (those pictures for the NCAA’s benefit a few weeks ago don’t really count), what do we actually have here?

What will Ching Field be used for besides football practices and intramurals? What are those grandstand seats and press box for?

There’s Wahine track and field, of course. But that’s just a few meets each season — even when you add in Special Olympics and recreational and youth meets it’s not much. This isn’t a huge track and field state.

High school football games are certainly a possibility. You wouldn’t have enough seating for a high-interest clash like Farrington-Kahuku, but Kaimuki and Kalani could use it as a home stadium. So could the smaller private school teams.

Unlike the raw deal UH football gets at Aloha Stadium, prep activities at Manoa benefit both entities. High school sports chief Chris Chun said the preps have always been treated fairly by UH on the money side when it hosts events like state baseball, softball and judo — which will all be on lower campus again this spring.

"It can obviously be an advantage for us in recruiting," Jay said. "While in high school a young athlete can get the feel for what it would be like to achieve a dream at the next level."

Chun envisions Ching Field being part of a Manoa consolidation of championship events, especially in the spring. "Many events in one location makes it easier for everyone, including families who have kids in more than one competition," he said.

And if Ching Field is part of the equation, all the better — we need to start getting some payback as soon as possible, especially considering its bloated $16.7 million price tag.

You’d think state track and field would be possible. But 2,500 seats might not be enough when you consider the vast number of competitors and coaches that need a place to set up camp. There’s no such problem for soccer, but the facility has enough seating only for Division II crowds as the perennial Division I powers have huge followings.

Ching Field will eventually become the home of Rainbow Wahine soccer, Jay said, when the 10-year old track is redone and the field can be widened. This nixes his original idea of a separate stadium where their practice field is now. It’s obvious soccer should be on campus instead of commuting across the island to Waipio.

Even though it could use more seating, Ching Field has potential to benefit a wide range of Hawaii athletes and teams. It’s unfortunate though sadly not unexpected that potential is not being realized on schedule.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.