Lahaina Gym
To Be Open
In February

BY BUCK QUAYLE

Lahaina Gym

The West Maui Memorial Gymnasium-Amphitheater should be open to the public in February, depending on arrival and installation of the bleacher section.

The bleachers still were waiting shipment from California last week, according to Stanley Goshi, Maui County public works director. Goshi said the bleachers were "tired up in the backlog of the strike".

However, he said, work on the gymnasium-amphitheater is "virtually" complete.

The first concrete pour for the footings of the gym took place Dec. 3 of last year. The $1.8 million structure is part of the planned $5 million Lahaina Civic Center, situated north of Lahaina and across Honoapiilani Hwy. from Wahikuli State Park.

General contractor for the gym project is Fuku Construction of Wailuku.

The gym rises two stories on the ocean side, and one story at the rear. Visitors will enter at the bottom floor, which houses meeting rooms and a social hall that can seat more than 600 persons.

The main gymnasium area upstairs includes space for two basketball courts when spectator bleachers are pushed back out of the way. With bleachers in place, 2,880 persons may be seated.

The floor area also can be used for seating when the building is used for large meetings or conventions, and total seating capacity will rise to 4,000.

The outdoor amphitheater at the rear of the building will provide seating on grass for 3,000 persons.

The seating area slopes upward with the natural curve of the land. A large stage facing up the hill will be available for musical and dramatic productions and other events.

Of the $1.8 million cost for the Lahaina gym and amphitheater, the State is paying $1.2 million and the County is paying $600,000. State land for the project was turned over to the County by executive order of the governor.