By Pigeon M. Lobien/Philippine News Agency
BAGUIO CITY — The city government is pursuing the implementation of the PHP47-million improvement of the Baguio Athletic Bowl that houses most of the city’s sports facilities.
City sports coordinator Gaudencio Gonzales said on Friday that of the amount, PHP34 million is allotted for the swimming pool and the remaining PHP13 million is for the paving of the frontage where open courts for basketball, volleyball and other events can be held.
Riprap walls that will be used as seats for future spectators have also been installed.
At the area of the swimming pool, the works include the replacement of the dilapidated roofing and installation of solar panels to heat the two pools.
Gonzales said tiles of the Olympic-sized pool had been removed to add a few centimeters in its length so they can install touch pads at both ends of the pool.
The bottom of the pool would be excavated so they can add depth to allow the inclusion of diving events in swim meets, he said.
Works also include the installation of diving boards, as well as electronic scoreboards, to make the facility ready for hosting national and international competitions.
Although the fund is not enough, Gonzales said they would request more funding to meet international standards.
“For now, the money is surely not enough, but we will make (a) request for more funding in the future,” he said.
The pool was completed in 2004 after six years of construction on a budget that came in trickles.
It was started in 1998 before former president Fidel Ramos stepped down and right after Baguio lost in the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa that year.
Former president Joseph Estrada provided the next tranche and the pool was completed only when former president, now House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office.
The staggered release of funding saw loopholes in the implementation of the project, most importantly that it lacked the actual total length that touch pads cannot be installed.
In front of the pool is a wide space that was once eyed as a venue for a multi-purpose gym.
Last year, Baguio hosted the national Batang Pinoy, the biggest sporting event hosted by the city, which finally got a rubberized track in 2015 after more than 60 years of being a dirt track.
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