Gov. Linda Lingle has released $3 million for a new gymnasium at Pahoa High and Intermediate School and $30,000 for a security fence at DeSilva Elementary School on the Big Island.

At Pahoa, the athletics program currently shares a gym adjacent to the school with the county, which results in frequent scheduling conflicts. The total project cost is estimated at $10.4 million, with $7.4 million previously released for design and construction. Design is scheduled to be completed in February. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and be completed in July 2009.

At DeSilva, the fence will help keep students away from the nearby forest and stream and also prevent trespassers from coming onto school property. Construction is scheduled to begin in May and be completed in June.