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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, June 22, 2005

UH plans to upgrade facilities

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier said a plan is being formulated to "completely revamp" the school's athletic facilities.

HERMAN FRAZIER

He declined to pinpoint the cost of the proposed projects other than to say, "it will be a lot." He said private donations and sponsorships would offset the expenses.

"What we are discussing is something totally new, something totally out of the box, and totally different than what we've done here in the past," Frazier said.

In a February news conference to announce the 2005 recruiting class, UH football coach June Jones complained about the deteriorating athletic facilities.

Frazier said he has had discussions with UH administrators about a plan to "completely revamp everything. That's what we're looking at. Everything down here."

Jones said immediate renovations are needed for the athletic training room, weight room and Cooke Field, whose track infield is covered with a tattered and faded AstroTurf.

"That turf should have been changed some time ago," Frazier said. "It also could become a safety issue."

Frazier said Les Murakami Stadium, which opened in 1984, is in dire need of repairs.

"No question," Frazier said. "At one point, it was the crowning jewel of all of the (college baseball) stadiums in the country. I think, over time, it's fallen back. When you look back at when Les Murakami (Stadium) was constructed, I would say there are other universities (that) have had three or four renovations over that period of time, and we've had none. That's how you can figure it out."

Frazier said he is hopeful the athletic department, which is expected to finish in the red for the fourth consecutive fiscal year, will be able to raise money to subsidize the projects.

"We haven't had some things done recently," he said, referring to the recent third-floor expansion of the athletic department complex.

Last year, Frazier said, the state released about $700,000 earmarked to expand the third floor. "When the money came in, it wasn't enough to finish the complete project," Frazier said.

Rather than risk losing the money, Frazier said, "what we elected to do was go ahead and put the shell (roof and walls) in."

The athletic department ran out of money to build offices and pay for furniture. Frazier said the athletic department will try to raise money to complete the project, which will be used by the football and women's volleyball coaches.

Of the plans for the athletic facilities, Frazier said: "We're still in the preliminary stages now, but (the changes are) going to be massive. ... We're looking at everything. It's total."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.