By Ilima Loomis
The aging War Memorial Gym complex and Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool would be replaced with a major new sports arena and convention center, and the county would develop a new aquatics center in Kahului in a proposal by Mayor Alan Arakawa.

The projects were announced Friday as part of the mayor’s $558.2 million budget request for 2012-13. Arakawa said the existing pool and gym, which were built in the 1950s, are too small, in poor condition and cost more every year to repair and maintain. He said the county should take advantage of low construction costs and move forward with the projects now.

“These are huge projects, which will improve our infrastructure, enhance our quality of life and put many people back to work,” he said.

Read the entire article at Maui News

You can comment on the proposed budget at these public meetings:

* Thursday at 6 p.m., Paia Community Center.

* April 2 at 6 p.m., Kihei Community Center.

* April 4 at 6 p.m., Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai.

* April 9 at 6:30 p.m., Pomaikai Elementary School cafeteria, Kahului.

* April 11 at 6 p.m., Lahaina Civic Center.

* April 13 at 6 p.m., Lanai Senior Center.

* April 16 at 6 p.m., Helene Hall, Hana.

* April 18 at 6 p.m., Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Pukalani.