Construction of Naga gym starts

CEBU, Philippines - A state-of-the art sports gymnasium, or what is believed to be another "green building," will soon rise in Naga City.

Last Friday, Mayor Valdemar Chiong together with the members of the city council laid the time capsule which signaled the start of the construction of the gym.

Paul Revalde of Fdr-Con Com Inc., the project contractor, said what separates this new gym from other similar facilities is its being pro-environment, the same concept applied at the city hall building, which was built by Fdr-Con.

The elliptical gym will have a glass roofing so that it will not use electrical lighting during the day, and it is "open" for better ventilation. 

From a bird's eye view, the gym, which will occupy 4,000 square meters of reclaimed lot, will look like a retreating turtle with its head facing the sea.

Revalde said the concept also supports efforts to save sea turtles which have become vulnerable to unscrupulous fishermen.

The project will cost P29 million, but the city will not spend a centavo since Metro Gaisano has already consented in a memorandum of agreement to shoulder construction expenses.

In return, Metro Gaisano will convert the old gym, the one fronting the highway, into a shopping mall.

The re-construction of the old gym has already started.

Chiong said the new gym is scheduled to be completed in time for the city's celebration of its 4th charter anniversary, which falls on September 5. - Liv G. Campo