A nearly $1.1 million improvement project to expand the interior space of the multipurpose building
at Fern Community Park in Kalihi has begun, city Department of Parks and
Recreation announced.
But the project at 1201 Middle St. requires a months-long closure of the building during construction.
In doing so, the project aims to expand the existing 2,230-square-foot structure built around 1990, by
enclosing the facility’s
Ewa-side lanai, providing approximately 600 square feet of additional interior space, DPR states.
The planned expansion will provide extra room for community recreational activities, including arts and crafts commonly offered through the city’s seasonal programs, the department said.
“With the expansion of the multipurpose building, it will help us to continue to provide a safe space for the community and help us expand our class offerings to better serve the community,” DPR spokesperson Nate Serota said.
And much like other city-owned park spaces around Oahu, repairs have occurred at Fern Community Park due to crime-related activities.
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“Unfortunately, all of our parks and park facilities are subject to vandalism at some point,” Serota said.
“At Fern Community Park, our staff have conducted vandalism-related repairs including comfort station damage — toilets, sinks and toilet paper dispensers — (and) busted windows and vents, graffiti, stolen locks and damage to benches and the playground.”
But he noted that unlike other city-owned parks, including at Ala Moana Regional Park as well as at smaller city parks on the island, no surveillance cameras are installed at Fern Community Park to help deter crime.
“And there are currently no plans to install them at this park,” Serota said, adding more than 50,000 people use Fern Community Park each year, based on permits and class registration. “This isn’t including people who come on their own to use the park for casual recreation.”
The multipurpose building, and the immediate area around the building, will remain closed for the duration of the project, the department said.
The park’s fields, courts, playground and other amenities will remain open during regular park hours, daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Recreational programming normally held in the multipurpose building will continue in nearby Fern Elementary School at 1121 Middle St., DPR said.
Construction is scheduled between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays.
The improvement project is expected to be finished, and the multipurpose building reopened for public use, in spring 2026, according to DPR.
The nearly $1.1 million contract for the project was awarded to Honolulu-based Starcom Builders Inc., DPR said.
The project is funded through community development block grants,
with project coordination done via the city Department of Design and Construction. The federally funded program provides annual grants principally
for the improvement of communities in low- to moderate-income areas, DPR states.
