HONOLULU (KHON2) -- McKinley High School officially broke ground on a new $24 million athletic complex on Wednesday, a project designed to enhance the student-athlete experience and provide a vibrant hub for the surrounding community. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The ceremony was attended by Hawaii State Department of Education officials, local legislators, and supporters of high school athletics. The state-of-the-art facility, designed by G70 and being built by Nan, Inc., is expected to be completed by September 2026. Principal Ron Okamura thanked former state Representatives Scott Saiki and Scott Nishimoto, along with Senator Sharon Moriwaki, for their advocacy in securing support for the project. McKinley teacher and Hawaiiana educator Kumu Kuaʻanaʻai Lewis led a traditional blessing of the site before the groundbreaking began. Dillon Gabriel ‘doing my part’ as Hawaii’s latest Heisman finalist Superintendent Keith Hayashi expressed excitement over the project’s potential, saying, “We hope this facility will inspire student-athletes to go for gold and bring Tiger Pride to their classmates and their ‘ohana. This stadium’s reach goes beyond McKinley. It will be a center of activity for the surrounding neighborhood to be a part of and enjoy.” The new complex will offer over 2,400 bleacher seats and modern amenities, including restrooms, a ticket booth, and a rooftop press box, enhancing the game-day experience for fans. A tunnel in the middle of the football field will create an exciting entrance for players and the marching band. Beneath the bleachers, the complex will feature a dedicated PE locker room for boys, a spacious weight room, and top-tier locker rooms for both male and female athletes. Additional spaces will include coaches' offices, storage areas, and an equipment room with infrastructure to support increased internet capacity for the campus. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Okamura reflected on the long-awaited project, saying, “The McKinley community has been waiting a long time for this facility. It is uplifting to witness everyone’s hard work come to fruition today. We are looking forward to seeing how this new complex will enhance not only the sports program but also energize school spirit as well.”