Park Projects Stacking Up For Kaneohe
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.us
Signs of the growing graffitti outbreak on Oahu stand out on
the walls of Kaneohe’s public swimming pool, which also has
a busted water-heating pump. Photo by Byron Lee, staff
photographer.
Just when the roof looks better and the wiring gets fixed, the termites strike. That’s the latest chapter in the repair saga of Kaneohe District Park.
City inspectors have found termite damage at the Kaneohe Fire Station, and it needs treatment ASAP. This means that on July 10 the fire engine and its crew will be moved “for about one week” to the district park’s upper parking lot - where portables have been housing the park’s staff for months.
The fire crews will have a sleeping trailer there and use the park’s showers and restrooms, said Eugene Lee, new director of the city Department of Design and Construction. The ladder truck will have a temporary spot at the Aikahi Fire Station. Meanwhile, the city was negotiating last week on an emergency contract to get rid of the termites, which could compromise the wooden tresses in the station’s roof.
The gymnasium roof repairs are complete, said city parks director Lester Chang. But that process has been a long one, because it wasn’t done right the first time, he said. After overcoming warranty, bonding and bankruptcy delays from the first contractor, the city picked a second contractor who recently completed emergency roof repairs.
Now the city is putting together a bid package to fix the water damage to the interior of the building.
“It should be out by the end of summer, with construction to start in the fall,” Lee said.
The roof snafu has displaced most of the park staff, which uses the second-floor rooms, and also several classes like judo and exercise. Dr. Lincoln Furuya, a Kaneohe orthodontist who has taught the judo program since 1976, has not been able to offer the course for two years, so far.
“They offered Kaneohe Playground, but I’d have to move the mats, and there is very little parking, and I have concerns about safety there,” Furuya said. The mats are in storage at the district park, he added, and they did not suffer water damage. His program offered instruction to about 25 students of all ages and experience levels.
Meanwhile, the heat pump for the swimming pool is beyond repair, Chang said.
“It’s kaput. We don’t know the solution. It would be a major contract job and it remains unanswered. We’ll have to do it over.”
To the water exercise class - which has many older participants who cannot take the chilly morning temperatures - Chang said he hopes to have a heating system in place by November.
“We’re looking for a replacement,” added Lee, “and we’re in the early stages now.”
Don’t even ask about the two weeks between Summer Fun and the start of school. Well, what about it?
“We’re still trying to figure out staffing,” said Chang, a visibly hard-working Kaneohe resident.
“All the parks are scrambling, and we don’t have enough part-time aides. We’re just trying to survive the summer.”
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
