KAPA‘A — With two weeks to go, Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center’s executive director and Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation’s lead advocate are confident that the Kapa‘a skate park’s resurfacing project will be done earlier than the expected deadline.
NLW-AHEC Executive Director Fran Becker said her organization awarded the construction job to Keith Duffy, owner of Kickass Concrete. His crew has been on site working since the project was launched at the end of November.
“We have a firm date to complete the project by Dec. 30. However, we have targeted Dec. 24 for the walk-through, which gives us a few days if things need to be corrected or completed,” Becker said.
“The construction crew has been working seven days a week to ensure they can complete by Dec. 24, while taking advantage of the weather too. “
The Kapa‘a skate park project was funded by the county through a $250,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act grant. The funds need to be completely used by Dec. 30.
So far, Becker said the estimated expenses through this week are approximately $131,000.
“The balance of the CARES Act funds will be distributed as contracted at the close of the project when the job is cleared on the walk-through and signed off by all parties,” Becker said.
According to Becker, the project includes nine laborers (six with Kickass Concrete and three with subcontractor Grindline Skateparks), two to three volunteer laborers depending on the type of additional work needed, and a project manager from Bow Construction Management Service, Inc.
Becker said her team has not faced any hurdles since the project started in November. “Things have been moving along according to the scheduled timeline, and the community support has been energizing and greatly appreciated,” Becker said. “We are looking forward to having a great skate park completed for our community by the end of the year. The crew would also like to acknowledge our generous community for providing daily lunches.”
Lead advocate Darin DePasquale of Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation said 20 members of the Kaua‘i Skatepark Advisory group spent 100 hours evaluating all 67 of Kaua‘i County’s public parks to determine how they can improve them for the Kaua‘i community.
“Our report was the basis of determining that during COVID-19, with thousands of children out of school and out of their normal social/sports activities, that a modern skate park (not an old tennis court) would provide tremendous benefit to our youth,” DePasquale said.
“Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation, Na Lei Wili AHEC, County Parks &Recreation, Bow Engineering, Kickass Concrete, Grindline Skatepark and many individual supporters have come together to create a plan and make a difference,” he said.
“Hanapepe/Ele‘ele skate park, here we come,” Depasquale said.
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Stephanie Shinno, can be reached at sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
