Olympic-size pool to be constructed in Naga City

CEBU, Philippines - In its aim to train its youth to become top swimmers, the City of Naga is set to construct an eight-lane, Olympic-size swimming pool in its Ocean Park next year.

 “(This is) advantageous to the youth and anybody who wants to develop their skills in swimming. Soon they will have these amenities in Naga,” said Mayor Valdemar Chiong.

 Chiong said in the recent national sports event in Palawan, several students from Naga won in the tennis competition. The city has a tennis court, which will be adjacent to the proposed swimming pool.

 Just recently, Naga City finished the expansion of the 5,000-square meter seafront  reclamation project in the Ocean Park. Chiong said in this P1-million worth project will house the swimming pool which he envisions for the city’s young people to train in swimming.

The pool, which will have a landscape and a grandstand, is estimated to cost the city P10 to P12 million.

 The mayor said the reclamation park, which is now 10,000 square meters, will be a place with amenities “that can cater the youth,” and everyone from outside the city.

 Meanwhile, the construction of the city’s sports oval in Naga Elementary School is still ongoing despite protests from environmentalists and some politicians.

 Chiong said with the presence of the sports venue, he hopes that one day they will be able to host a national sports event, which could then boost their economic status and put the city in the map of sporting activities.

 The oval will have baseball/football fields and other sections that can cater to several sports events, he said.

 He said the P68-million project is targeted to be finished by March or April this year. — (FREEMAN)