Installation of new UH track to start May 20

Advertiser Staff

Installation of a new four-color rainbow track at Cooke Field is scheduled to begin May 20, the day after graduation, University of Hawai'i officials said.

The $1.7 million contract was awarded to Jayar Construction of Honolulu and is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 17, according to Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, assistant athletic director and senior women's administration at UH.

The construction will mean that several teams, including cross country, soccer and football, will be practicing elsewhere in the interim, Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano said. Both soccer and football also have grass fields.

The new track will replace the present 9-year-old surface which is littered with potholes and gaps. Because of safety issues, the women's track team has been unable to hold meets there.

The new surface will be made by Mondo America, whose surfaces were used at Olympic Stadium in Sydney and the Atlanta Olympic Stadium.

The project will primarily deal with the outer track. The AstroTurf infield, where UH hopes to have FieldTurf installed, will be put out to bid later, school officials said.