Bill for soccer park fund passes

A bill to create a special fund for the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park won City Council approval Wednesday as several user groups and residents insisted that revenue generated at the complex should be directed back to its upkeep and maintenance.

Bill 40 was slated to be sent to Mayor Kirk Caldwell by Friday. A similar bill to establish a Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park fund became law last month without Caldwell’s signature.

Scott Keopuhiwa, president and executive director of the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association, told Council members that the 288-acre complex featuring about 20 fields needs funding to cover crucial improvements and maintenance. He referred to an incident that occurred last year when a Texas team initially refused to play at the park due to the uneven field.

“The budget process has failed us in the past, so we seek your help in establishing special funds to aid in the maintenance and upkeep of our park,” he told Council members.

Revenue from user fees typically goes into the city general fund, and administrators prioritize funding for new facilities and capital improvements. Supporters of the bill say establishing an exclusive fund would allow the park’s projects to bypass the lengthy process.

But some city officials oppose creating these types of funds because they say it would increase administrative costs and divert money that could be used for other city services.

Budget Director Nelson Koyanagi said in April that fees “should be used to help cover the costs associated with the parks,” according to his written testimony.

Councilman Brandon Elefante, who represents the area, echoed similar concerns over creating special funds but voted in favor of the bill.

“There (are) a lot of needs that that park does have,” Elefante said. “Primarily, my main concern is that the revenues are not large enough. And setting up a special fund also will incur personal-case management expenses and whatnot.”

Elefante, who voted against establishing a fund for the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, said his view changed after hearing from several testifiers.

During fiscal year 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 nearly $500,000 in fiscal 2012, $626,800 the next year, $624,000 the following year and $537,000 in fiscal year 2015.

Shelly Nakasone, who supported creating a fund for the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, told Council members that a special fund would help accomplish the goal of continuing to upkeep and improve the Waipio soccer complex, which is home to the University of Hawaii women’s soccer team.

“To continue to attract these visitors, facilities and this park need improvements,” she said at Wednesday’s meeting. “It is worth the investment because it takes money to make money.”