CCSC reopens for CVIRAA kick-off | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — After almost a year since it was temporarily closed for renovation, the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) has reopened its pool facility, and introduced newly-renovated features just in time for the opening of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) tomorrow, May 4, 2024.

Yesterday, a ceremonial reopening of CCSC’s pool facility took place, led by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, chairman of the Committee on Sports of the Cebu City Council.

In an interview, John Pages, chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, said the renovation costs at least P25 million, which is privately-funded.

Pages highlighted that the primary pool has a brand new filtration system with starting blocks that is comparable with “international standards”.

Among the features that Pages takes pride of is the conversion of the kiddie pool to a 25-meter warm up pool, a standard requirement to host national sports events.

With this, Pages said that the facility is up and ready for the hosting of CVIRAA that will kick off tomorrow, until May 9, 2024.

“So for the next weeks, this will be exclusively used  by our athletes for the CVIRAA,” said Pages.

Although the pool will be opened for the athletes for them to practice for the CVIRAA meet, Pages said that right after the regional meet, it will be then opened to the public.

Further, Pages said the main pool is an olympic-size pool, that is 50 meters by 25. By far, it is the only olympic-size pool in Cebu City.

Also featured during the ceremony were the newly-renovated shower rooms, comfort rooms, bathrooms, ceilings, and hallways.

Bryle Villahermosa, 15-year-old swimmer, among those who will represent Cebu City for the CVIRAA, expressed his enthusiasm on the reopening of the pool. According to him, swimmers like him can now have a proper facility to practice in.

“This new pool is already a great representation of Cebu for swimmers and the other athletes,” said the young swimmer.

Last May 18, 2023, the 29-year-old sports center was closed down for renovations.

With the reopening of the pool facility, the CCSC renovation is now halfway through and is assured to be ready just in time