Cebu City Sports Center opens to public

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) will be opened to the public today (Tuesday) but the controversial newly-refurbished track oval will be closed after the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo next month for major repairs.

After its initial opening for the athletes participating in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa, the CCSC will be opened to the public today but for a short period of time only since it will be off limits to the public again for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo on August 25, 2024.

Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced in a press conference Monday after meeting with the contractor, SBD Builders, that the track oval will undergo another repair after the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

The rubberized track oval was damaged due to alleged improper handling of construction materials during the construction of a makeshift stage for the opening program of the Palarong Pambansa.

Anticipating possible damage of the oval during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, the acting mayor said they have decided to undertake the repair after the event.

"So after sa Pasigaro we will close it for a few weeks, I will not tell you how many weeks kay wa pa ko kahibaw, and after, isira na na, after the pasigarbo, we will close it for major repairs," said Garcia.

According to him, it has been agreed that there will be parts of the oval that will have to be stripped off and will be refurbished. He reiterated that it will translate to a major repair hence the track oval will be closed in an indefinite timeframe.

He added they will have to wait for the rubber application will be totally cured.

"And after that, maglinya ta’g balik, aron ang 399.22 (meters), mahimo na jud og 400," said Garcia.

It was reported that despite having an accurate size of the CCSC's track oval, the markings of the lanes fell short of the international standard.

Garcia underscored that the major repairs will have no expense to the city government as this will be considered a "back job". He, however, clarified that the closure after the Pasigarbo will only apply to the track oval as other facilities will remain open to the public. — (FREEMAN)