University of Hawaii athletic director sees facility improvements come to life

From his ground floor office, University of Hawaii athletic director David Matlin has had a front row seat to the replacement of the track at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, barely a discus toss away.

But after dealing with cracks in the facility’s deteriorating sun-baked surface, there are few complaints about noise.

The $2 million replacement of the 17-year-old track surface is among eight priority athletic facilities on the lower campus, where renovation, replacement or upgrades are underway, just completed or in design.

They are funded by $26.1 million in appropriations from the state Legislature from the 2016 through ’18 sessions, UH said.

The track was last resurfaced in 2002 and complete replacement of the multi-colored surface is scheduled to conclude Aug. 30.

Also scheduled to be concluded in August is the $90,000 refinishing of the Stan Sheriff Center floor. It was last undertaken in 1999. In addition, UH said it plans to replace all the amplifiers and replace or enhance the speakers and wiring.

“We are very thankful for the state legislative support with all of these projects,” Matlin said in an email. “(We’re) also, grateful to the Board of Regents and UH administration for playing a big role in bringing these projects to fruition. The belief in our student athletes and support of our student athletes is difference making and very appreciated.”

Other projects include resurfacing and replacement of the net system for all 12 tennis courts. The goal, UH said, is completion of six courts in the fall and the final six in 2020.

UH said it is in the design phase for several long-planned improvements for the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, including the home team locker room, clubhouse, coaches office, training room and restroom upgrades.

Plans are also for what are termed “health and safety project (and) structural repairs” at Les Murakami Stadium, where concrete spalls and corrugated metal siding is to be repaired. In addition, a complete renovation is planned of the men’s and women’s public restrooms, which have been in place since the stadium opened in 1984.

Earlier this year renovation of the home team locker room, restrooms and showers were completed.

Matlin said, “These projects are broad based and touch all of our athletic programs directly or indirectly. For example, the track is used by all of our programs for training as well as by academics, campus life and the community at-large. “