Feature article on what is behind the curtain at Aloha Stadium

HSA Note: "To folks who work in and around it and motorists who zip past it, the 10-story plastic sheeting that covers sections of Aloha Stadium has come to be known as "the shower curtain" or "the drapes." The presence of the silver shroud these past six months has given the state's largest multipurpose athletic facility peeking out from behind it a hint of mystery."

About how the curtains will be removed and their $51 million in upgrades will be revealed when UH plays USC at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 2, stadium manager Scott Chan said:
"I think you'll see great improvement in our facility. The Legislature has been very supportive of what we're trying to do." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Among changes for the stadium's 36th year of operation, according to officials:
» a new LED "Aloha Vision" video board
» touches of "Warrior green" paint
» a whole sideline of new seats in the orange level of the mauka side
» repaired steps and new hand railings
» "reduced bounce" pedestrian bridges
» a new roof
» reinforced structural framing
» a new south plaza concession stand"

About where they focused their first round of maintenance and upgrades, Chan said:
"The health and safety of our guests remains our first concern, so that's where a lot of the initial work is concentrated." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Following the Pro Bowl in February, according to the timetable, will come replacement of the eight-year old FieldTurf and more seats, and the addition of bathrooms, concession stands and elevators, costing an additional $20 million. Those renovations are scheduled to be in place for the 2011 football season. Construction of luxury suites and sky boxes has been proposed, but no funds have yet been allocated, officials said. The extensive renovation is aimed at helping the stadium, which was built at a cost of $32 million and originally envisioned to last 75 years, make it into the 2030s -- and beyond."

HSA Note: "Based upon 2007 dollars, the cost of a new stadium was projected at nearly $278.3 million versus $156.4 million for renovating and maintaining the current facility. More recent estimates have pegged the cost of building a new facility, complete with luxury suites, at closer to $500 million."

Proud that their new 60 foot by 20 foot "Aloha Vision" video board did not require state money to replace the north end zone scoreboard, Chan said:
"It is state-of-the-art, and one the things we can be proud of is that we didn't spend any tax dollars on that in tough economic times and (instead) we looked at creative ways to get funding while enhancing the experience for our visiting guests." (HSA)

Glen Higa, general manager of Aloha Sports, did not say what Aloha Sports (which has a 10-year exclusive contract to be the stadium's advertising agent) paid for the scoreboard, but Chan said:
"it is close to a million dollars." (HSA)

HSA Note: "The green the state is putting into the stadium includes paint on portions of roof, beams and walls that formerly were brown. The green was selected, according to Russ K. Saito, state comptroller and DAGS director, because of its impact on the surroundings, eye appeal and flexibility in meeting current and future color schemes. In addition, Saito said, "some of us are UH graduates." "

About why the scaffolding and curtains will remain throughout the season in some areas, Chan said:
"Unfortunately, you'll continue to see some scaffolding (and curtains). There was no way around that. I was not willing to pay (an additional) $3 million for mobilizing and demobilizing during that period. I think we have to learn to live with some of that." (HSA)

HSA Note: "Saito said roof replacement, which originally was scheduled to be done in four phases, has been reduced to three phases, which saves some money. The installation of cables to strengthen the eight pedestrian bridges and all but eliminate bouncing will make it less likely the stadium will be moved back into a baseball configuration, officials said. Already, cost, corrosion and safety issues have made that a long shot."

Chan said the stadium hopes to assist UH in opening new revenue options with a "VIP seating section" in the dugout area and the installation of flat-screen TVs in sections of the north loge areas:
"We're trying to make this a gradual thing than can help create revenue for the university." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20100725_what_lies_behind_the_curtain.html