MEDIA RELEASE

New Stanford W. Shutes Track to Re-Open Late October 2010

WAIMEA, Island of Hawaii—The Stanford W. Shutes Track at Hawaii Preparatory Academy will close in early February for major upgrades. The new Stanford W. Shutes Track is scheduled to re-open in late October.

The existing six-lane 440-yard cinder track, built during the 1962-1963 school year, will be renovated to a 400-meter, eight-lane all-weather synthetic surface track with synthetic infields in the “D” zones at each end for the high jump, pole vault, and long jump track events. The track will be designed and built in compliance with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards governing high school and international amateur competitions.

The $2.93 million project also includes renovation and irrigation of the interior grass football field/soccer pitch and the addition of terraced spectator seating. The work is being funded by donations, most of which are coming from Shutes’ many former students during his 26-year tenure at HPA as track and cross country coach, teacher, and administrator.

Ken Melrose of Pa’ahana Enterprises is the project manager. Isemoto Contracting Company is the contractor and Fukunaga & Associates is the civil engineer.

The new track will enable HPA to resume host duties for island and statewide events, including BIIF meets and championships and age-group events. The track also will provide opportunities for school and area athletes to train on a top-level surface.

“In addition to providing a great training and competition area for our students, we also hope to serve other members of our community in neighborly ways that fit into our yearly school calendar,” said Headmaster Lindsay Barnes. “Of course, community use must be suspended during the construction period, but the wait will be worth it, and, in the end, we’ll all have something wonderful to celebrate!”

For more information, or to get involved in supporting this project, contact Keawe Liu at 808-881-4049 e-mail: kliu@hpa.edu