Higher rates up for newly renovated tracks

WITH A NEWLY repaired rubberized track, doing some rounds of jogging at the track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) will now be more fun.

The upgrade, however, will also cost extra bucks for users as the CCSC management will charge higher fees for the use of the P26-million track oval.

The old P10 daytime rate will be raised to P15 while the old P15 nighttime rate will be jacked up to P20. The nighttime rate is higher since electricity is used to light up the oval.

“The initial plan is to charge an additional P5 for the use of the oval. We will  ensure that the increase is minimal since we don’t want to discourage the public from using the oval,” said Ricky Ballesteros, CCSC manager.

Ballesteros said the rate increase will cover up the expenses for the rehabilitation of the track oval and for its maintenance.

“The increase is more on for the maintenance. We have to increase the fees since the electricity rate has also gone up. The increase will also be used for the salary of workers,” said Ballesteros.

Ballesteros said the newly repaired oval will be available for public use after the weeklong Private Schools Athletics Association (Prisaa) National Collegiate Games, which kicked off last Sunday.  The opening of the annual multi-sporting event coincided with the blessing and inauguration of the track oval.

Ballesteros said having a new track oval will give Cebu City a chance to host national and international sporting events. More importantly, the new track oval will help athletes—particularly the track and field athletes—to further hone their  skills.  “We have good track and field athletes but athletes from National Capital Region are dominating the sport.”

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who graced the inauguration of the oval, said the new oval  will serve well for the athletes and the Cebuanos./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA