Several residents and officials contend that creating an exclusive fund for the popular Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park would help with much-needed improvements and maintenance.

A proposal before the City Council would dedicate funds generated by user fees and other revenues toward the upkeep and improvement of the 288-acre soccer complex known for its wide array of youth and state tournaments. Bill 40, introduced by Council Chairman Ernie Martin, passed second reading this month and was referred to the budget committee, which is slated to take up the proposal at a meeting Wednesday.

Opened in 2000, the soccer park features about 20 fields, including a stadium that seats 5,000, which is home to the University of Hawaii women’s soccer team.

Revenue generated from groups that pay to use city parks is typically put into the city general fund. City administrators prioritize funding for new facilities and capital improvements for some 290 named parks on about 5,200 acres of land. Advocates say creating a separate fund would allow the park’s projects to bypass the lengthy capital-improvements approval proc­ess.

Scott Keopuhiwa, president and executive director of the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association, said when user fees at the parks were implemented, groups were told their funds would be directed back to the facility.

"The park staff does what it can with limited resources to keep the park in good shape, but there is always room for improvement," Keopuhiwa said in written testimony.

The upkeep of the park has been an issue in the past, culminating in the initial refusal of a Texas team to play at the complex last year because the uneven field could result in misdirected ball passes and impact player safety.

Some city officials oppose these special funds, citing that revenues generated at these facilities are already used to maintain and improve the parks. They have said these funds set a "bad precedent," adding that improvement and repair costs exceed revenue generated at the park.

"Funding for parks should be addressed in the budget process rather than setting up special funds," Budget Director Nelson Koyanagi told members at an April budget meeting. He added that creating these funds "increases administrative costs, hampers the budgeting process and diverts funds that would be otherwise available for support of other core city services."

In fiscal 2012, the Waipio soccer complex generated about $104,000 in revenue, $84,700 the year after, $86,600 the next year and $79,000 in fiscal year 2015. Expenses for the complex totalled about $500,000 in fiscal 2012, $626,800 the next year, $624,000 the following year and $537,000 in fiscal year 2015.

A similar bill to establish a fund at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park became law without Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s signature this month.

Councilman Brandon Elefante, who voted against creating a fund at the Central Oahu park, said his opinion changed after hearing several testimonies. But he expressed concern over the model of special funds.

"We also have to find a balance of how do we continue to maintain the park," he said.