The Clarence T.C. Ching Complex has undergone renovations since April in order to adapt to its new role as the University of Hawai'i football team's new home field.
To commemorate UH football games returning to campus, let's take a look into the renovation progress that occurred in the heart of the Mānoa campus.
After beginning construction earlier this year, the newly retrofitted Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is near completion in Phase 1 of the project. The stadium's inaugural game is against Portland State on Sept. 4.
Clarence T.C. Ching Field
Let's first take a look at some before and after shots of the construction process, starting with the field itself. The before was taken on Jan. 5th and the after was taken on Aug. 25th.
Makai Bleachers, VIP & Hospitality Suites
After the retrofitting process, work began on the Makai side of the field. Prior to Jan. 5th, the makai side had one bleacher section. Now, there is more seating space and is the location of the new VIP & Hospitality Suites.
Diamond Head & Ewa Endzones
Following the Makai side bleachers, the Diamond Head and Ewa endzones were constructed alongside new goalposts, field clocks, and scoreboard.
And with that, we will leave you with a time-lapse video of the construction process at the now completed Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Go Bows! 🤙
In this update, additional bleachers were placed on the remaining levels of the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
Signage were placed to designate sections between bleacher seating. Below is a closer look at the press boxes that will be used by members of the media, as well as home and visiting team coaching staff.
At this point in time, the field looks almost game day ready - take a 360° look in the video below.
And if you didn't catch it in the video, no problem! Here are some still shots of the field.
With 20 days to go until the first home game of the season, plenty of progress was made on the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex VIP suites, as well as the inclusion of a new scoreboard and Makai side bleacher seats.
Seen below, an awning has been placed above the VIP suites, with tapa designs and Hawai'i word mark placed horizontally across.
Each VIP suite has been fitted with front facing windows. A black net fabric now covers the entranceway beams.
Additionally, a new scoreboard was placed at the end of the Ewa endzone.
Press boxes have also been secured on top of the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Each press box is equipped with a ladder leading to the roof, which will allow for great views of the action on the field.
Bleachers have also begun to be installed in the bottom section of the Ching Complex.
In early August, alongside the newly installed padding is a play clock which is adjoined to the base of the Diamond head endzone.
A new sidewalk was constructed perpendicular to the Athletics Complex building, adding more walking space leading to the field.
Additions were also made to the platform hosting the VIP boxes on the Makai side. Railings were added to the entranceway and more noticeably, the beginning structure of a VIP booth can be seen.
Coming into August, work continued on the VIP boxes and installation of the press boxes, as well as the inclusion of padding for endzone stands.
Green padding was placed on the bases of both endzone stands to ensure player safety when scoring touchdowns.
Press boxes were airlifted one by one with the help of cranes stationed on Kalele Road. A total of six press boxes were placed on the top level of the Clarence T. C. Ching Complex building.
Within this time, a runway was constructed behind the Makai side stands connecting the platform of the VIP boxes to the Athletics Complex building.
The runway pictured below will be transformed into the entranceway for the VIP boxes, accessible from the second floor of the Athletics Complex building.
With July coming to a close, work continued on the Makai side stands before the installation of the VIP boxes. Work also continued on the Mauka side stands before bleachers and press boxes are to be installed, as well as the Diamond Head bleachers.
The horizontal plane above the Makai side stands will eventually be transformed into VIP boxes.
Adjacent to the Diamond Head stands, the Mauka side stands were prepared for bleachers and press box installations.
Progress has also been made on the Diamond Head stands, with more bleachers built outward from the center to provide additional seating. Railings were also built surrounding the structure and half steps on the bleachers were put into place.
On the Makai side of the field, structural beams were assembled behind the stands to begin work on the VIP Boxes. A week later, an overhead platform was placed on top to serve as a base for those spaces.
In early July, finishing touches were stitched onto the field, including the "H" logo, Mountain West logo, and the tapa-inspired "Hawai'i" logo in both endzones. Assembly of the Diamond Head endzone stands also began.
Construction of the Diamond Head endzone stands began during this time. The new stand locations will allow spectators in both the Diamond Head and Ewa endzones to witness touchdowns up close.
Within four days, a crisp "Hawai'i" is stitched onto the Diamond Head endzone. Beyond the endzone, parts of the Diamond Head stands are being placed for assembly.
The renovation process moved along quickly during the latter half of June. Alongside the completion of retrofitting the field, work began to assemble the Makai side stands. Field painting also began with the outlining of hash marks, yard lines, and yard numbers.
As seen in the video above, in order to protect the track, wooden slabs were placed to transport supplies onto the field.
Each yard number and hash mark is carefully stitched one by one following along green strings laid down as a guides.
With the field retrofitting completed, field markings begin!
As the field neared completion, assembly of the Makai side stands began starting from the Ewa side end.
Once turf removal was completed, the rollout for the new turf began in the first half of June. With each section laid one by one, there was a gradual transformation of the field to its new, bright green exterior.
Additionally, parts of the Makai side stands are ready to be constructed to provide additional seating capacity for game attendees.
With more than half of the field completed, aerial footage is a must!
Similar to the removal process, the new turf is unrolled and laid out in sections. It takes the help of several people to ensure proper implementation of each yard of field.
Take a look at that green! The new turf, produced by AstroTurf, will have alternating, two-toned yard segments of light and dark green.
In late April, renovations began by first removing the old turf from the field. The surrounding, newly renovated multi-purpose track will remain unchanged throughout the process.
Stands were first placed at the Ewa endzone to increase the seating capacity of the facility. Stands will also be constructed on the Makai side and the Diamond Head endzone further into renovations.
After removal, the now barren field is ready for retrofitting.
Prior to construction, the field had a seating capacity of 4,100. The field's turf consisted of one color with the patented "H" logo at center field.
Stands will be added to the following locations (see above) to accommodate more visitors: the Makai-Ewa side, Ewa endzone, and Diamond Head endzone.
A Look Back on Clarence T.C. Ching Field
The Clarence T.C. Ching Field, also known as "Ching Field", is part of the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The facility is home to Rainbow Wahine beach volleyball, soccer, cross country, track & field, and now Rainbow Warrior football. Learn more about Clarence T.C. Ching and the complex by clicking the button below.