NEWS RELEASE

                Public Communications Division         

                            Department of Customer Services

                            City & County of Honolulu

                            523-4385

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2002

NEW CITY SKATEPARK TO OPEN IN KANEOHE ON FRIDAY

        The City’s newest skatepark will open at the Kaneohe District Park with a blessing ceremony at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2002.  The 7,500 square foot concrete facility was championed by the Kaneohe Vision Team, and provides a venue that accommodates skateboarders of all ages and all skill levels.  It is the ninth such City facility to be put into operation.  Five others are in the planning or design stages, and the City is reviewing requests for eight more.

        “We appreciate all that the Vision Team and local skateboarders have done to create this facility.  Like all of our skateparks, we expect that it will be heavily used,” said City Managing Director Ben Lee.

        The design consultant was Bryce E. Uyehara, AIA, and the contractor was PER, Inc.  Work was started in April of this year and included grading, excavation and construction, as well as landscaping and the addition of a new sidewalk.  The project cost $226,000.

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