Work continues at the city’s swimming pool so it will conform to an international standard size pool that could enable Baguio to host international events.
There are still few construction works that need to be done to the P43-million-worth upgrade of the facility, which is short of two centimeters to make it into an Olympic-size pool at 50 meters.
Construction will resume once the laborers will be able to return to Baguio, said Paul Rillorta of the City Sports and Recreation Division said. Construction was put on hold when the city was declared under enhanced community quarantine last March 17.
Rillorta said while waiting for the construction to resume, some crew members are chiseling portions of the swimming pool to conform to the international standard, which will allow the contractor to install a touch pad.
A 20-foot diving board was earlier installed at the warm up pool, which was dug deeper to 20 feet to allow diving.
For now, the construction crew will need to drain the water and fix the diving pool, a new addition at the swimming pool area.
He said RAJ Construction will also install a membrane, a Korean technology that will stop leaking at the pool.
The first phase of the upgrade that started last year included installation of solar panels to keep warm the usually frigid waters, installation of enclosures, extension of the roof to include the once open bleachers, hot showers, and electronic timer.
The Department of Education has considered Baguio as host of the Palarong Pambansa numerous times but with the upgrading of the Athletic Bowl complex, this had to take a backseat.
“We were supposed to host an international collegiate athletics meet in 2018 but then when we had it (swimming pool) measured, we found out that it was about a meter short of the standard. So, off went the hosting,” Rillorta said. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 24, 2024
