Posted on: Saturday, April 13, 2002

City wants fee structure for soccer park

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

City officials plan to begin charging fees for some users of the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park to help offset the estimated $750,000 cost to maintain the park.

City Economic Development executive director Manny Menendez said the city would charge non-Hawai'i organizations a fee to use the facility and for parking.

The University of Hawai'i women's soccer program is negotiating with the city over a fee structure. Menendez said the city will charge rent and parking for the UH games when the Wahine charge admission.

Other local organizations, such as youth soccer leagues, will not be charged.

City officials plan to present fee proposals to the City Council in a few months and will consult with the soccer community, he said. Menendez said officials want a flexible fee structure and do not plan to automatically charge fees for every outside tournament or event.

The city had said the park, which opened in September 2000, would be managed under a public-private partnership. But officials have not been able to find a private operator.

Menendez said six organizations submitted proposals to manage the park but they were rejected because they involved charging students. The city will send out a new request for proposals in August.