Scheduled renovations to the following county parks are making progress, according to Hawaii County Parks and Recreation officials:
Papa‘aloa Gym
The Papa‘aloa Gym was closed indefinitely at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. When it was deemed unsalvageable due to extensive damage in 2021, Parks and Recreation made plans to tear down the building.
To the dismay of community members, the longstanding gym was demolished in May of this year and renovations have been ongoing at the park.
Improvements have been made to the annex building and the tennis courts to update the infrastructure and bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The tennis courts will also include new pickleball courts.
“The annex has been upgraded with new ADA bathrooms and a kitchen,” said County Councilmember Heather Kimball. “It looks great, almost like new.”
Next week, the County Council Finance Committee is scheduled to release funds to match the state budget of $5 million for the planning, design and construction for a new gym.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina, there are no plans to rebuild the gym, but to implement a multipurpose, outdoor area for multiple activities where the gym once stood.
“After talking with contractors and the project coordinator, we realized that we could create a general grassy area for sports where the gym once stood,” Messina said. “This will be one more recreational addition to the park right next to the annex. We’re looking forward to seeing it come together.”
According to Messina, Papa‘aloa Park, without the gym, is slated to be completed on time between late December and early January.
Richardson
Ocean Park
Meanwhile, renovation work at Richardson Ocean Park in Keaukaha is also on schedule and set to be complete by March 31, 2023. The parking lot, showers and bathrooms are still closed, but visitors can still easily access the beach.
Beachgoers can use temporary showers and portable bathrooms while visiting the beach park. Renovations to the Richardson Ocean Center are ongoing.
The $3.9 million project will bring the beach park into compliance with the ADA. New ramps, sidewalks and accessible showers have already been implemented.
Paauilo Gym
The Paauilo Gym is set to reopen after construction completes by the first week of October.
‘We’re trying to reopen Paauilo by the first week in October,” Messina said. “We’ll be working with the Paauilo community to schedule a blessing prior to reopening.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
