For three weeks: Track oval closed starting tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) track oval will be closed to the public starting tomorrow, November 13, 2024, for at least three weeks as the contractor will be refurbishing the track oval following surface damage.

This was announced by Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia in a press conference yesterday, November 11, 2024, following the weeklong extension that the contractor, SBD Builders, has asked from the city government to begin the rehabilitation of the track oval.

The track oval will be closed approximately three months after it reopened, following more than a year of closure starting May 18, 2023, when it was rehabilitated for the Palarong Pambansa.

According to Garcia, the contractor committed to finish the whole rehabilitation within three weeks, a commitment he agreed as long as the rubber installation will be properly cured.

Garcia previously set a deadline for the contractor to finish the repairs in October after damages were observed on the track oval’s surface.

Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders, explained that the damages were not due to substandard materials, but rather the result of mobilizing materials to create a makeshift stage during the Palarong Pambansa and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

The contractor was supposed to begin the repair during the first month of November but the move did not push through as the City Council opted to inspect the track oval first to come up with recommendations and report to Garcia.

Seven days ago, Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure of the council, led the inspection of the CCSC Track Oval with CCSC Manager Jovito Taburada and some members of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

It was during the same inspection that they recommended the immediate repair of the track oval. Garcia echoed that Guardo had first recommended that the track oval should be totally repaired and replaced.

Garcia however said that upon assessment, only 60 percent of the whole track oval’s surface was damaged. He added that there was even a suggestion from the council to move the repair after the holding of the Sinulog Festival 2025 in January, a proposal he turned down since the period may be too long.

“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 nako balik ang oval,” said Garcia.

With this, the track oval may be finished during the first week of December.

During the repair period, the CCSC track oval will be closed for public use. Garcia said that they are trying to look at the possibility of the field in between the oval during the repair. He, however, added that they may have to study this possibility further.

It was reported that during their appearance in an executive session, the SBD Builders expressed that they would spend P3.8 million straight from their own pockets to repair the damages of the track oval despite reaffirming that the damages were due to the holding of cultural events.

Doherty also said that they have to repair the 600 square meters of the whole track oval. He added it is not needed to rehabilitate all portions of the track oval since there are still portions that are still in good condition.

After this session, the council agreed to conduct an inspection.

During the inspection, Guardo's team made rounds around the track oval and assessed the damages seen on the surface while there was ongoing athletic activity on the other side. The same team also evaluated the materials and closely examined the adhesiveness of the track oval's flooring.

According to the group, more damage was seen on the right side facing the grandstand. Guardo further assessed that the integrity of the 40 percent of the track oval, which is more on the left side, is already "vulnerable." — (FREEMAN)