Wednesday, September 03, 2008
CCSC head: Center pays for repairs and maintenance
By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
FOLLOWING the hullabaloo surrounding the situation of the rubberized tracks at the Cebu City Sports Center, unknown to many, the CCSC is already undergoing a major facelift.
CCSC has proven that it can actually stand on its own as it is currently renovating its aquatic center, the dancesport studio, PRT gym, gymnastics, boxing, basketball and badminton courts—a project amounting to a little over P500,000.
“We did not ask any funds from the city. This is all from the CCSC coffers,” said manager Ricky Ballesteros.
Ballesteros proudly announced that all over the country, only CCSC gets that much patrons on a daily basis, which keeps the income rolling in.
“We have a very heavy traffic of joggers every day. The bulk comes in after the athletes finish training,” Ballesteros said..
“We placed bleachers at our basketball and badminton courts, placed a stage to make the area multi-purpose, retiled our small pool and put in new gymnastics and boxing equipment donated by the PSC,” he said.
Ballesteros added that this will not go to waste because all these are income-generating facilities.
The only problem left untouched is the rubberized tracks, which will take more than five years’ worth of CCSC’s income to renovate.
Worn out
“Although, admittedly, the track has worn out, it is still very usable and there is no urgent need for it to be replaced unless we are planning on hosting the next Palarong Pambansa or an international event,” Ballesteros said.
Ballesteros reacted to the comments of Councilor Jack Jakosalem that there are already “craters” in the sports center’s oval.
“It is not that bad really, just minor bumps, which are easily fixed. Even if it is used all the time, it is well-maintained,” Ballesteros added.
The CCSC covers any tear on the track by placing patches of rubber to prevent any injury.
The plan for the renovation of the center came up last year, prompting Ballesteros to have the tracks quoted for possible expenses.
Last year, it was prized at P19 million with the exchange rate at that time.
Meanwhile, Jakosalem said that he will make it a point to provide a new oval before his term ended.
“I will make it a personal commitment to make sure we have a brand new oval by next year before my term ends,” Jakosalem added.
Jakosalem also said that he is willing to explore all possible options just so the project will materialize.
One of this is considering foreign aid. During the term of former CCSC chairperson Jonathan Guardo, a Japanese organization had expressed its intent to help out in the facelift of the facility, which never materialized following Guardo’s resignation.
“We will review and evaluate all available options because it is very important that we fix the most used and useful track oval in the country,” Jakosalem said.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 2, 2008 issue)
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