Construction to Begin at Central Maui Regional Sports Complex

Groundbreaking of the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex, July 31, 2014. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Department of Land and Natural Resources today announced that they issued a notice to proceed with construction of the first phase of the Central Maui Regional Sports Complex project in the Waikapū-Wailuku region.

Construction is slated to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2015, according to an updated announcement released today.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was conducted on July 31 at the 65-acre parcel located within the master-planned Waiʻale community being developed by Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

Phase 1 of the project will cost approximately $14.8 million and includes construction of a high school baseball field, two softball fields, a comfort stations, a concession stand, parking, landscaping, an irrigation well, and storage tank.

Governor Neil Abercrombie posing next to a project rendering for the future Central Maui Regional Sports Complex.

The entire complex will include a full-size baseball field, four softball fields, four little league baseball fields, an area for soccer fields, comfort stations, concession buildings, and parking for approximately 700 vehicles, according to state officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The park is in addition to the 209-acre Central Maui Regional Park located further west on the other side of Waikō Road. Both facilities will become part of the Central Maui Regional Park system.

Goodfellow Bros, Inc. was awarded the contract for the first phase of the project.

During last month’s groundbreaking event, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa  expressed support for more playing fields in Central Maui aying, “Sometimes there are as many as five sports clubs using the same field.”

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According to Arakawa, Central Maui sports groups that receive athletic field permits include: MGSA, Bronco League, Little League, American Youth Soccer Organization, Hawaii Youth Soccer Association, HSF, as well as adult leagues for soccer, softball, and baseball.

Supporters of the project say the Central Maui area has outgrown the field inventory and the new park will help to ensure kids have the opportunity to participate in athletic activities.