MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Construction on the new MCB Hawaii super playground began the week of Jan. 27, and the new facility is scheduled to be completed in the spring.
The new playground, which replaces the facility removed from the area near the commissary, is located at Risley Field on Mokapu Road.
The new MCB Hawaii Post Office complex was slated to be located with the Mokapu Mall and Commissary, so it is more accessible to most base residents, and that project required the aging super playground to be relocated. Since Risley Field is the center of recreation for the base - close to the housing areas, the Semper Fit Center, skate park, football and softball fields - it was a natural choice for the base.
The project was scheduled to begin in November, but was delayed while base officials and residents ensured the new location was the best.
After careful consideration of other proposals, and letters received from base residents, a final decision was made to locate the playground at Risely Field.
"It was important that everyone had an opportunity to express their concerns, and the final decision was made on that basis since, once built, the playground will be there for a long time," said Kent Murata, assistant chief of staff, G-4, MCB Hawaii.
Concrete work is scheduled to be wrapped up in February, and playground equipment will be installed at the appropriate time.
Before the rubber fall protection can be installed, the concrete must be allowed to reach its proper strength.
The fall protection material is scheduled for installation in late March, and the playground should be ready for play in mid April.