Regents order audit of Ching complex

Citing concerns about delays and threats of NCAA sanctions if fast-approaching completion deadlines aren’t met, a University of Hawaii Board of Regents committee ordered an immediate audit of the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletic Complex project on Wednesday.

The committee on audits tasked the Office of Internal Audit to look into the long-delayed $13.39 million project.

“We want to know why it has taken so long,” committee chairman James Lee said of the latest delay to 2014.

The committee also ordered an audit of the Campus Center project.

The Ching complex, named for a late developer and UH fan, is to be home to the school’s track, soccer, football and sand volleyball teams, band and intramurals. The $5 million donation by the Ching Foundation is the largest gift received by UH athletics and was to have led to a 2011 opening when matched by state funds.

But despite a 2008 dedication, ground wasn’t broken until 2012 after regents approved $3 million in bond revenues aimed at speeding up the project. And now, the announced Dec. 31, 2013, completion date can no longer be met, UH officials said they have been advised by the contractor, T. Iida Contracting Ltd.

As recently as April, UH officials said they were told completion could be by October 2013, with Dec. 31 a worst-case scenario. 

A UH spokeswoman declined to cite the reasons for the delays, the expected cost or who would pick up any added costs, saying the situation “is under audit.”

The contractor did not immediately respond to requests for comment.  

Completion of the facility, which has been overseen by UH-Manoa’s Office of Facilities Management, has long been tied to UH’s Title IX plan to achieve gender equity in athletics and the NCAA has threatened to withhold certification unless the complex is completed. UH said it has been warned that sanctions could include its teams being barred from NCAA tournaments.

Upon being advised of the latest delay, athletic director Ben Jay said he sought an extension from the NCAA.

“There were members (of the committee) that did not want to give us another extension but we got one and the NCAA is very adamant that this is the last one,” Jay said.

Jay said the bottom floor locker rooms and offices must be opened by Jan. 28 with the remainder of the facility ready by February for UH to be deemed in compliance with the latest NCAA extension.