Posted on: Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Officials discuss stadium turf issue
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Aloha Stadium could lose the Pro Bowl if new turf isn't installed by the end of a 5-year contract negotiated in 2000.
Advertiser library photo |
Aloha Stadium and Hawai'i Tourism Authority officials met with Gov. Ben Cayetano yesterday in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute of whether to replace the 3-year-old AstroTurf at the stadium.
No decision was made at the meeting. Negotiations have been at a standstill since September.
Cayetano said further study is needed and another meeting will be held in a few weeks, according to his press secretary, Kim Murakawa.
"There may be compelling arguments to change the turf, and there might not be," said Mark Rolfing, former chairman of the HTA events committee, which negotiated the Pro Bowl contract with the NFL and attended yesterday's meeting. "There are a lot of different viewpoints. And what came out of this was that it may take a little more time."
The state agreed to explore options to replace the AstroTurf two years ago as part of its five-year, $22 million contract with the NFL to play host to the Pro Bowl all-star football game.
If a new turf isn't installed by the end of the agreement, the NFL said it might consider taking the Pro Bowl elsewhere.
"There's only one or two (people) on the negative side," said Jim Steeg, NFL senior vice president of special events. "Ninety-eight percent are trying to get this done."
The NFL prefers a grass field but said that FieldTurf, an artificial product that uses layers of sand and rubber infill, is an acceptable alternative. If the AstroTurf, which still has five years left on its warranty, is to be replaced in time for next year's Pro Bowl, work would have to be completed before the high school football season begins in mid-August.
FieldTurf representatives have said the turf can be replaced in about two weeks.
"We want to do this as soon as possible," said Tau Harrington, sports events consultant for HTA. "The longer we wait, the smaller the window gets. Eventually, it will be too small to accomplish it this year."
Those against changing the turf emphasize its recent installment, which cost taxpayers $2.4 million. The estimated cost to replace the AstroTurf with FieldTurf is $877,000, which would include subsurface renovations and installation but not maintenance, according to FieldTurf officials.
According to Steeg, the NFL has agreed to contribute a "significant amount" to help with the cost.
The NFL wants the AstroTurf replaced because its players are concerned about injuries suffered while playing on it. Even Brigham Young University has complained about the turf, claiming its football team suffered 18 turf-related injuries in a 72-45 loss to the University of Hawai'i Dec. 8.
Both the NFL and BYU have said changes to the playing turf would be crucial in their decision to return.
As part of the Pro Bowl deal between Hawai'i and the NFL, the state agreed to use its "best efforts" to replace the AstroTurf with either real grass or a mutually acceptable alternative.
The state hasn't ruled out putting in grass on a per-game basis, which Steeg estimates will cost between $250,000 and $300,000 per game. Over the next three years that would cost the state close to $1 million, perhaps more than if it just replaced the turf.
A study by Fukunaga & Associates — an engineering consulting firm — compared various turfs, including AstroTurf and FieldTurf, on the basis of safety, multi-purpose capability, durability, maintenance requirements, cost and appearance.
Natural grass wouldn't be feasible because of the stadium's frequent usage and the weather. On the other hand, FieldTurf, guaranteed to last 7-9 years, may require more maintenance than AstroTurf, something the state is still investigating.
The Stadium Authority, which felt slighted by the HTA and NFL for not being invited to discuss the terms of the contract, say the current turf is in "good shape" and doesn't need to be replaced.
"They knew that the negotiations were going on," Steeg said. "We dealt with them in good faith. Shame on them for not participating."
The Pro Bowl boasts an average of between 7 million and 13 million viewers each year. The state estimated about 25,000 people came to O'ahu specifically for the game in February.
"We have a great marketing opportunity through our relationship with the NFL," Harrington said. "Just looking at the impact when (the Pro Bowl) is in town is to only see a portion of the big picture."
