LIHU‘E — It’s a Christmas present that will take at least six months to arrive. But if approved, Kapa‘a High School students will probably have their biggest gift ever. The state Department of Education is proposing the construction of a
LIHU‘E — It’s a Christmas present that will take at least six months to arrive. But if approved, Kapa‘a High School students will probably have their biggest gift ever.
The state Department of Education is proposing the construction of a new softball stadium on the Kapa‘a High School campus. The project was presented to the county Planning Commission last week at the Mo‘ikeha Building.
The DOE wants to build the new stadium on a grass field east of the school campus that is currently being used for athletic practice.
The total cost of the project, including permits, is estimated at $1.9 million, according to the application.
The Planning Department sent a preliminary evaluation recommending a series of issues to be considered. One of those issues regards to taking mitigation measures concerning seabird conservation.
The DOE is applying for a use permit, a class IV zoning permit and a variance permit. The latter applies for the proposed field lighting poles, which are designed to be 70 feet high. The permitted height in residential districts is 40 feet.
The commission scheduled for Jan. 11 a public hearing on the DOE application.
Construction is scheduled to begin after the permitting is approved. The project is slated to be completed 180 days after the notice to proceed. If the project moves as planned, it should be finished by the third quarter of 2011.
The new stadium, if approved as proposed, would have the following features:
— National Federation of State High School Associations standards.
— U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines compliance.
— A softball field with skinned infield and newly graded and grassed outfield.
— Permanent 212 seating aluminum bleachers, plus four ADA seating areas.
— Dugouts for home and visiting teams.
— Electronic scoreboards.
— Field lighting poles with public address system.
— Restrooms, concession stands, announcer booth and storage.
— Fencing to allow charging admission for state tournament games.
— Permanent backstop and outfield fencing improvements.
— Sewer pump station installation.
— Automated irrigation system.
