Clock ticks for completion of CVRAA swimming venue

CEBU, Philippines - The swimming events in the 2016 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet may be held outside of the host City of Naga if the construction of swimming pool will not be done by this month.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong, in a press conference, said he was worried that the swimming events will not be held in the city because the Olympic-size pool is still being constructed.

He said he already told the contractor to fast-track the construction of the swimming pool so that it may be finished by last week of January.

CVRAA will kick off on February 7 at the newly constructed track and field oval in Naga Central School.

"Ako lang giingnan nga basta lang nga maestablisar ang swimming pool dayon unya nalang na ang mga bleachers (I told the contactor to at least finish the pool first; the bleachers can follow later)," Chiong said.

He said he remains hopeful that the swimming events of CVRAA will still be held in the city and witnessed by local residents.

The pool and the oval are two of the flagship projects of Chiong’s administration, costing at least P68 million.

Nagahanon student-athletes were the first to use the rubberized oval during the City of Naga District Athletic Association (CNDAA) meet last year.

It may be recalled that the construction of the oval was opposed by conservationists as it required the cutting of trees in the area. (FREEMAN)