WAHIAWA, Hawaii — For more than four years, the gym at the George Fred Wright Wahiawa District Park had been closed for repairs and renovation, but it opened up again on Friday to the joy of community members and long-time organizations.
The hub of the Wahiawa community, its gym underwent a $3.24 million renovation. According to the city Department of Parks & Recreation, work to the facility included floor repairs that now reflect the Leilehua Mules’ green and gold colors; bleachers, painting, louvers, ventilation/lighting/electrical upgrades (including new ceiling fans); added security panels; and an improved stage area. Additional work on the bottom floor and elevator will come this summer. The swimming pool was also renovated, the outdoor courts resurfaced, skate park redeveloped, and Hale Koa room was reroofed.
Why did it take so long? “Because this is a historical building, we had to conduct the construction in a little bit of a different way, we had to be careful,” said Heidi Tsuneyoshi, city council member representing Council District 2 and proud Leilehua High School graduate. “We had to maintain all of the historical components of the building, (which) is actually on the historical registry.” The 10-acre park opened to the public in June 1938, making it one of the city’s oldest district parks.
“It’s been a long time, four years actually,” said Tsuneyoshi introducing the reopening and blessing of the gym. “For our community, this place has been a focal point for generations. And what’s exciting for me today is now it will be a focal point for generations to come.” Groups such as the football teams, baseball teams, tennis players, the Wahiawa Lions Club, Rotary Club, as well as the Wahiawa Rainbow Seniors — one of the City and County of Honolulu’s largest senior groups — and many others, have made many memories here, she added.
Keoni Ahlo, president of the Rotary Club of Wahiawa-Waialua, said, “This is awesome. I came here and sat down, and it brought me back to indoor soccer with my kids. I coached kids for 15 years, and this gym was really important for us because there aren’t many indoor gyms that are available. So this was a huge part of our lives, and it brought me right back to that moment when the kids were running all around. It was such a great time.”
Jeanne Ishikawa, chair of the Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board, exclaimed, “This is a good day. Can we all say that? This is a good day!” Everyone in attendance agreed with applause and voices raised in agreement.
Tsuneyoshi said the reason she gathered so many people and organizations together for this reopening and blessing was to show that it takes many people working together to get things done.
“This is the heart of a community,” stated Laura Thielen, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation. “And one of the things we’re talking about with the new administration, with Mayor Rick Blangiardi, is we need to learn how to do these projects faster because we can’t have parts of a community closed for four years. And so we thank you for your patience. We’re committed to figuring out how to do things quicker.”
“Wahiawa is such a special place,” said Tsuneyoshi, whose mother and daughter were in attendance, “so we want to do everything we can to make sure it stays that way.”
According to Scott Coleman, the director for the newly reopened district park, the gym will operate on a modified schedule for the first month. Its hours are 2-5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the week of Feb. 21 for free play. Beginning the week of Feb. 28, in addition to being open 2-5 p.m. on three days, it will open 5-9 p.m. for adult free play. From that point, the staff will see how things are going, how many people are coming in and what the mask guidelines will be. Call park staff at 808-768-6779 for the schedule.