CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Coliseum, one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks in downtown Cebu City, is set to undergo a major facelift, at least on its main structure -- the multi-purpose court.
This, after the University of Cebu (UC) took over the management and control of the 63-year-old facility.
Lawyer Augusto W. Go, owner of UC, told The Freeman yesterday that they took over the management of the Cebu Coliseum just this year.
Go then wasted no time and assembled a team to look into the facility and what needs to be done first for the major renovation.
It will not be torn down, but it will be done phase by phase while the original layout of the coliseum will be maintained as requested by the previous owners' family.
Built in 1962 by businessman-sportsman Norberto Dayrit and his wife Flora, the Cebu Coliseum was considered as the first multi-purpose coliseum in the southern part of the country, even better than the Araneta Coliseum that time.
Its last major renovation known was done 10 years ago yet, after from being considered as one of the best facilities in the south, it had become too risky for sports due to dilapidated flooring.
Several organizers also wanted to stage big events at the coliseum both for sports and concerts and other shows in the past, but opted to do it elsewhere due to humidity, old digital scoreboard as well as the lack of parking space and flooding problem surrounding the area on rainy days.
Although another mega multi-purpose arena is also on the rise, Go said he is not worried about it as "we have our own market."
He side the coliseum could also be used for university-related events.
Go said he is also thinking of improving its coliseum's gymnastics facility, in the hope of producing the next Olympic gold medalist like Carlos Yulo. The UC had produced Olympians in weightlifting already.
Go, who is an educator, philanthropist and businessman, said he is fully aware that with the changing times and climate change, air-conditioning is on top of one s mind.
However, after the evaluation of engineers and architects, they found out that to be able to proceed with the other changes, the roofing has to be done first for safety reasons.
The structure is very old already. We have to ensure that everyone s safe when we watch games, including me, Go said, in a press conference held at Treewoods Residences in Barangay Apas.
Aside from new roofing and air-conditioning, new chairs, new sound system, a led digital scoreboard and shot clock, new basketball boards and flooring will also be part of the major changes of the coliseum.
Go said the flooring and boards will be of FIBA (International Basketball Federation)-standards, and a standby generator will be put in place.
Parking space will also be included, he said.
For the meantime, tenants outside the coliseum will remain in its place as the focus would be the renovations of the multi-purpose facility first.
Architect Omar Maxwell Espina, project in-charge, said his team has already started bidding out for the renovations of the coliseum. They are also working on the facility's electrical connections and roofing. - JG (CEBU NEWS)