THE Davao City Sports and Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) is targeting to fully open its newly constructed strength and conditioning facility before the end of 2025.
Mikey Aportadera, SDD-CMO officer-in-charge, said the facility, built this year, is expected to be completed by September and operational by year-end. It replaces the old boxing gym located behind the Davao City Recreation Center, formerly known as Almendras Gym, which was demolished to make way for the new structure.
“It’s not really a gym, the misconception of everybody's gym na siya na ka nang pampagwapo ug lawas (It’s not really a gym, contrary to the common misconception that it's for body sculpting)," Aportadera said during a media interview on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the CMO. "This is a strength and conditioning facility.”
Once operational, the facility will provide free services for athletes, including access to a physical therapist for injury recovery, a strength and conditioning coach for sport-specific training, and a doctor on standby. The facility will operate from Monday to Saturday.
SDD-CMO is currently coordinating with the City Administrator’s Office to determine if non-athlete Dabawenyos may also avail of the services.
The construction cost is around P11 million, while funding for equipment is sourced from incentives earned through Davao City's participation in events such as the Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy. The facility's operational costs will be covered by the SDD-CMO's budget.
The SDD-CMO was created through the 1996 Reorganization Act. It is responsible for conducting sports clinics, lending sports equipment, training referees, monitoring major sports events in the city, sponsoring travel for athletes and coaches, and implementing sports programs during city-sponsored activities. RGP