Updated at 11:55 a.m., Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Lingle releases $11.4M for upgrades at 9 schools
Advertiser Staff
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $11.4 million for construction projects at nine schools in the Honolulu District. They include improvements to infrastructure and renovations to classrooms, athletic facilities, restrooms, parking stalls and electrical upgrades.
"Classrooms and other facilities on campuses must be improved to address the growing needs of Hawai'i's students and teachers," Lingle said in a news release issued today.
"Adequate sports facilities must be provided so students who are engaged in sports and physical education classes are safe from harm. The electrical upgrades will ensure that our students have access to the computer-based resources they need to succeed."
Roosevelt High School — About $3,942,000 will be used for improvements to the track and football field, and to build an access road to the school's swimming pool. The school plans to replace the grass on the field with a turf similar to that at Aloha Stadium. Roosevelt's field is also used by Farrington and McKinley high schools as their home field, and has also been used by Kaimuki High and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu for games.
Lingle previously released $558,000 for design and construction consultant services. Construction is scheduled to start this year and is expected to be completed in February.
Noelani Elementary School — About $195,500 will be used for electrical upgrades to support the demands of the school's computers. In September 2005, Lingle released $319,468 in design and construction funds. Construction is scheduled to start in December.
School restrooms — About $2.94 million will be used by Pauoa Elementary ($1.8 million), Dole Middle ($740,000) and Ala Wai Elementary ($400,000) schools to design, construct and renovate restrooms. Twelve restrooms at Pauoa Elementary, six restrooms at Dole Middle and three restrooms at Ala Wai Elementary schools will be renovated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Construction is scheduled to begin in December at Dole Middle School. The design phase at Ala Wai Elementary School started in March and construction is scheduled to start in March 2008. The design phase at Pauoa Elementary School began in April and construction is anticipated to begin in June 2008.
Kalakaua Middle School — About $2,181,000 will be used to construct a new locker room and shower facility. In the design phase, it was determined that the current facility could not be repaired due to cracks found in the walls and foundation. In 2006, Lingle released about $2.18 million for design and construction. The design phase started in October 2006 and construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2008.
Ka'ewai Elementary School — About $1.7 million will be used to remove and replace floor tiles containing asbestos in various classrooms. Construction is scheduled to begin in December.
Stevenson Middle School — About $250,000 will be used to renovate the administration building to provide additional space for private counseling areas for students. The additional space will allow for counseling services to be centrally located in private office spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed in October 2008.
Palolo Elementary School — About $252,000 will be used for parking improvements. The parking lot will be reconfigured to provide more parking for staff, visitors and the handicapped. Construction is scheduled to begin in August and be completed in January.
