P26-M oval ready for Prisaa opening

Now that the rubberized track oval is repaired,   athletes and other people using it will have to wear rubber shoes and follow rules of no-eating on site.

It  took  P26 million and more than two years to repair the  oval that will be unveiled today in the Cebu City Sports Center.

Athletes from private schools across the nation will be the first to use it for the annual  Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Collegiate games which opens today.

“It’s a coincidence but I think it is very fitting that we are unveiling it with another national competition,” said Ricky Ballesteros, CCSC manager.

“The first time we opened the sports center and the track oval, it was also during the Palarong Pambansa back in 1994 with Cebu City as the host.”

“We are fencing the oval so that we can strictly implement the wearing of rubber shoes and no eating there so as not to disturb the runners. We will also not allow the inner lanes—lanes 1 and 2 –  to be used in order to extend the lifespan of the oval,” Ballesteros said.

He said  constant use of the inner lanes pulls the rubber and adds to its deterioration.

The new rubberized track oval has a five-year lifespan but with proper care, it could reach 10 years, according to the Malaysian contractor, who said  preserving the inner lanes would add three more years.

The old track oval has been used for 18 years and was 13 millimeters thick.

The new one is 15mm thick and more compact, said Ballesteros.

The new track oval has a wider concrete portion which can  be used for aerobics or  taekwondo practice.

Actual repair work started last November but the  whole process started more than two years ago when P40 million was  allocated by the city government under then mayor Tomas  Osmeña.

National elections delayed the project approval and the bidding process.
After months of scrutiny, the contract was  awarded to Sports Technology International of Malaysia, the same company that set up the oval.
Of the P40 million budget, P26 million went to the oval rehabilitation and P7 million  for fencing and  rehabilitation of the football field.
The rest of the budget will  be used to rehabilitate the VIP stage and  dormitories.
Since work was not hurried and the weather was cooperating, Ballesteros said he was confident the track oval has a  stronger base and is ready for use by the public.