Sports center ‘loses’ P60K a day since its temporary closure

THE Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) has been losing P60,000 a day since it was closed to the public for renovation and repair works in preparation for Cebu City’s bid to host the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.

However, Mayor Michael Rama considers the amount to be relatively small compared to the income the City will earn once the facility is reopened with improved amenities.

Based on the sports facility’s management data, CCSC caters to an average of 700 users per day. The track oval alone generates an average daily income of P17,500 from entrance fees paid by users.

Different rates are charged to athletes and other users of CCSC, depending on the facility they use:

* Track oval: P20 for regular users, P15 for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) before 5 p.m.; P25 for regular users, P20 for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

* Parking fees: P30 for cars and other vehicles; P20 for motorcycles.

* Swimming pool: P50 for regular users, P30 for students, senior citizens and PWDs for morning use; P60 for regular users, P40 for students, senior citizens and PWDs for evening use.

* Aerobics and zumba session: P15.

* Badminton court rental: P200 per hour.

* Table tennis rental: P170 per hour.

* Volleyball court rental: P170 per hour.

The CCSC has been closed since May 18, 2023. It is expected to take around four to six months to complete the facility’s improvement.

Long-term effects

Rama said that although the City Government will experience income loss during the closure, the long-term effects of the temporary closure and the renovated sports center are more important.

“That’s (income loss) too little, we can always recoup. The important thing is the sports center will be renovated and improved,” Rama told SunStar in an interview Sunday, June 4.

The City has allocated P59 million for the renovation, repair and improvement of CCSC’s amenities, including the pool, rubberized track oval, grandstand, restrooms and parking lot.

The CCSC was built in 1994 when Cebu City last hosted the Palarong Pambansa.

Support

The Cebu City Council has shown support for the executive department’s bid to host the 2024 Palarong Pambansa through a resolution presented by Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros, chairman of committee on education.

The council has requested the Cebu City Sports Commission to intensify its efforts in securing the bid.

While waiting for the decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Palaro Board regarding the next host local government unit (LGU), the City is already making preparations, including the selection of sports venues and budgetary requirements.

Mayor Rama assured that the City has enough budget, but they are still waiting for the specific budgetary needs from the sports commission.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao, committee on budget and finance chairman, said the City’s capital outlay budget for the Palaro is P60 million, which he believes is insufficient. Thus, the City will rely on support from the private sector. The matter will be discussed in detail by concerned city officials on Tuesday, June 6.

Hontiveros said in a privilege speech during the May 17 regular session that the City has already received commitments from private entities if chosen as the host LGU. These commitments include 10 private schools and four malls offering their facilities as sports venues, as well as 20 public schools for billeting quarters.

In the same regular session, Councilor Phillip Zafra suggested to Hontiveros that they should also consider constructing multi-purpose grandstands in various public schools.

Hontiveros agreed with Zafra, saying that he is already in talks with the DepEd Cebu City Division regarding this plan.

Cebu City is competing with Bacolod City and Antique Province in the bid to host next year’s Palaro.