DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 1997          TAG: 9711190514

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TONI GUAGENTI, staff writer 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   70 lines

CONSTRUCTION OVERRUNS FOR SOCCER STADIUM KICK UP COSTS BEACH NOW CONSIDERS OPTIONS FOR COVERING THE EXTRA $272,000.

Picture this: More than 6,000 fans hollering from two levels; spectators enjoying the game from a grassy hill; six corporate suites; more seating for the disabled and their families. And all this under bright lights in the breezy night air.

It's one of the country's first built-from-scratch stadiums for a professional soccer team - specifically the Hampton Roads Mariners.

The stadium is scheduled to open for the Mariners' first home game June 6 against Richmond.

A month later, the stadium could be the site for the minor league's all-star game, which would be nationally televised.

``It'll be an icon for others to follow,'' said Mark Garcea, a co-owner of the Mariners.

The city's Economic Development Authority and City Council, in separate meetings, got an update on the stadium's progress.

The 6,000-plus seat sports arena is being built on about 150 acres

between Landstown and Princess Anne roads about 3/4 of a mile southeast of the GTE-Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

While the Mariners will be the primary tenants, the stadium is expected to hold various sporting events, including recreation, high school and college play.

The city approved the stadium in March despite opposition from a few council members, who cited budgetary concerns and the need for an overall plan for the Lake Ridge property.

That opposition sounded again Tuesday when the $9 million project came in $272,000 over budget after the remaining 30 bids were opened last week.

Mark R. Wawner, the city's project development manager for the Department of Economic Development, told city officials that the overrun was attributed to improvements to enhance accessibility to the disabled, a precast concrete deck on the second level for reinforcement, increased foundation costs due to soft soils and steel reinforcements so the facility could sustain extreme wind conditions and could absorb noise.

Wawner asked the council to put up $372,000, $100,000 of which could cover future incidentals.

Councilwoman Barbara M. Henley said early figures show that projected revenues for the 1997-98 fiscal year are falling about $3 million short.

``I think we need to talk about that before we start spending money,'' said Henley, who was one of four council members to vote against the stadium in March.

``I'm not shocked or dismayed or concerned about a $272,000 increase over what we had projected,'' said Councilman William W. Harrison Jr., who abstained from March's vote. ``My concern is we not be tempted to water down the integrity of the project.''

Harrison said he would like the city to build in a $200,000 contingency fund, bringing the city's additional bill to $472,000.

The City Council didn't vote on the matter Tuesday but is expected to vote on it next week.

City Manager James K. Spore mentioned three areas where the city could get the money. Those funding sources would be: money not used from the 1996-97 budget, sale of surplus land owned by the city or a contingency reserve fund.

Ground was broken in June. Piles are being driven this week and the future grassy hill has been shaped.

Wawner praised the city's work with Endependence Center Inc. of Norfolk on improving the stadium's accessibility for the disabled.

``We had some issues and the issues got resolved,'' said Richard DiPeppe, the center's director of community services. ``We're pleased it was a friendly discussion where everyone was moving toward the same goal.''

There will be 80 seats for people who accompany the disabled to games and 80 wheelchair spaces. The majority will be on the lower level, with the remaining on the upper deck as reserved seating. KEYWORDS: SOCCER STADIUM

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