THE proposed rehabilitation of the Baguio Athletic Bowl has sparked talks to limit the use of the facility for sporting events only.
During the regular council session held Monday, Councilor Faustino Olowan raised the motion to preserve all facilities inside the city owned sports arena solely for the use of athletes and sport activities.
"We should stay within the purpose of the area which is intended to cater to athletes and sport activities and not any other events which can destroy or damage it," Olowan said.
The Athletic Bowl, aside from venue for the Palarong Panlungsod, Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association, and other sports events is also used as venues for the annual Panagbenga festival and concerts.
Olowan generated majority votes from his fellow law makers after raising his motion to let the area be solely used for sports activities only.
The first phase of the rehabilitation of the seven-hectare property will include construction of a new bleacher and grandstand and hopefully installation of tartan tracks.
According to the DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region, a utility office was included in their project plan to serve as an office or a workplace for city offices.
"We should make sure that upon the rehabilitation of the facility, it will be used by its intended users. That is why we should generally agree that the area be only utilized by our athletes as it carries the name Athletic Bowl," Olowan said.
Chief of Planning and Design DPWH-CAR Cesario Rillera said the allotted office space will measure to more than 20 square meters in floor area.
Rillera told the city council the workplace was asked to be included in the construction by the City Environment and Parks Management Office.
Presently, a resolution was filed in the city council for review asking the turnover of the management of Athletic Bowl from CEPMO to the City Administrators Office particularly the Sports Division.
Meanwhile, the City Building and Architects Office awaits the release of the P100 million supplemental funds from the city as they are in charged with the installation of tartan tracks and development of the main oval.
The city is rushing to finish the first phase improvements as it hosts the annual Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association February of next year.
Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said some P500 million funding will be needed to rebuild and standardize all facilities and equipment in the sports arena built in the 1940s.