A protest over the bidding process might push back long-sought repairs to the University of Hawai'i artificial turf track infield and its use for Warrior football practices and other activities.

Gov. Linda Lingle on Monday released $1,225,000 for the installation of a new playing surface at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex, formerly Cooke Field. Construction had been scheduled to start this month, with completion in late October or November.

On Wednesday, RMY Construction was ruled the low bidder at $862,381, UH officials said. But later that day, UH-Manoa spokesman Gregg Takayama said a protest was filed by the second-lowest bidder.

The complaining bidder was not identified. Takayama did not disclose the basis for the protest.

"Under state rules, this puts a 'freeze' on any further action or construction work pending resolution of the protest," Takayama said. "UH procurement and UH-Manoa officials are in discussions with (school) legal counsel of this matter."

The governor's office issued a statement that "the previous turf was removed due to extensive deterioration. As a result, the current surface is unfit for UH football practices, track and field, UH marching band, intramural sports, ROTC practices and other activities."

The track's infield is to be used by the football team as preparation for playing on the artificial turf of Aloha Stadium and the two road games on artificial surfaces. UH's campus practices are exclusively on grass fields.