Garcia rejects proposal to delay CCSC oval renovation

Local

CEBU City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has rejected a proposal to delay the repair of the track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) until after the Sinulog Festival in January.

The closure for renovations started on Wednesday, November 13, and is expected to last at least three weeks to complete the work.

Garcia emphasized the importance of starting the repairs promptly to avoid further delays and ensure the facility is ready for upcoming events.

The repairs come after surface damage was observed on the track oval, which had only reopened in July 2024 following a year-long closure for rehabilitation in preparation for the Palarong Pambansa.

Garcia said in an interview on Monday that the track oval would remain closed to the public during the repair period, which would likely extend until the first week of December.

The damage to the track was traced back to its use for various events, including the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo and the Palarong Pambansa.

Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders, the contractor tasked with the renovation, explained that the damage was not due to substandard materials but rather the result of utilizing the track to create temporary structures for these events.

Garcia had initially set an October deadline for repairs, but delays in the process led to a further inspection by the Cebu City Council, which ultimately recommended that repairs be done immediately.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chair of the City Council's Committee on Infrastructure, led the inspection and assessment of the damages on November 4.

Guardo’s team determined that about 60 percent of the track’s surface was damaged, primarily on the right side facing the grandstand. He further noted that the remaining 40 percent of the track, on the left side, was also vulnerable.

Despite initial suggestions to postpone the repairs until after Sinulog, Garcia insisted on moving forward with the work to prevent additional complications.

“Unya og naa nasay laing event after January, ato nasang i-put hold kay gigamit na, so for me, let’s finish it. Let’s start it on November 13 and hopefully before Christmas makuha na nato balik ang oval,” Garcia said.

During the repair process, the track oval will be closed to public use.

However, Garcia mentioned that there may be a possibility of keeping the football field open during the repairs, but this would require further evaluation by the contractor to ensure the repairs are not compromised.

SBD Builders has committed to funding the repairs themselves, covering an estimated P3.8 million in costs, despite asserting that the damages were a result of the use of the facility for the events.

Doherty confirmed that only 600 square meters of the track will be repaired as the rest of the surface remains in good condition.(MyTVCebu)