JESUIT-RUN Xavier University will be inaugurating the crown jewel of its sports facilities, the Xavier Ateneo Sports Complex, in El Camino Real Avenue, Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City, on December 16, an official of the university said.
Dulce Dawang, the university’s vice president for Basic Education, said the sports complex is better than most gyms in the city as it was built to follow standards set by various sports clubs in the country.
The 4.5-hectare Xavier Ateneo Sports Complex consists of a basketball court with four sub-courts for practices, retractable bleachers of more than 2,000 seats, four badminton courts, a semi-Olympic size swimming pool, shower area and locker rooms, an eight-lane track and field oval, regulation-size football field, and a parking space for more than 200 vehicles.
Dawang said the sports complex was primarily built to be used by basic education students, grade school to senior high, and faculty of Xavier University.
It can be used, however, for non-university sports events provided the events do not conflict with the school’s set schedule.
"We have a lot of students on campus already. Our present gym could not accommodate to all the needs for the PE (Physical Education), athletes and all the events," Dawang said.
She said there are still other facilities that are yet to be built like tennis courts. Space for these sports facilities, however, has already been set aside.
She also said the guidelines for the usage of the sports complex is still being discussed and finalized.
Dawang said the guidelines include the time of which the sports complex will be open, how many people or personnel are needed to man the facilities, and safety guidelines, among others.
The sports complex already has a facilities manager, coaches, and sports coordinators but Dawang said they still need security guards, life guards and other personnel.
Dawang said use of the sports complex will be based on a "prioritization of usage plan of Xavier Ateneo Sports Center" with three levels of scheduled priority.
In the Intra Area for Basic Education units, Level 1A will be for academics and student-activity classes, physical education classes, Intramurals and graduation ceremonies; while Level 1B is for varsity team practices.
Inter Area for Basic Education units, Level 2A will be for varsity tune-up matches, varsity athletic program sports camps, and summer sports clinics.
For College and Outside requests or the Extra Area, Level 3A is for college physical education classes such as swimming and athletics; Level 3B for other requests which will be subjected to approval and depending on availability; and Level 3C is for outside requests which will be subjected to approval of the Office of the President of Xavier University and depending on availability.