Sports hub eyed at SRP

Local

CEBU City is looking to give an old, deteriorating structure at the South Road Properties (SRP) a new purpose by turning it and its surrounding open space into a sports and recreation hub.

Maria Charisse Pineda, executive director of the South Road Properties Management Office (SRP-MO), proposed a clarification submitted to the Cebu City Council on Sept. 7 in response to issues raised over the planned rehabilitation and repurposing of the existing structure.

The structure, which the city previously used for Sinulog activities at SRP, has fallen into disrepair, with portions already dilapidated and experiencing leaks and other maintenance problems, according to the SRP-MO.

The office said the proposal seeks to “rehabilitate, refurbish, and repurpose an existing City facility and its surrounding area” rather than allow the property to remain underused and deteriorate further.

The surrounding area would also serve as a developed open space for sports and recreational activities intended to benefit the Cebuano community.

The SRP-MO clarified that the proposal before the City Council does not seek approval for a lease, tenancy, income-sharing arrangement, memorandum of agreement (MOA), joint venture agreement (JVA), or private commercial operation.

“At this stage, discussions regarding income sharing, rental arrangements, a possible tenant or operator, or the execution of a MOA, JVA, lease agreement, or similar legal instrument are premature,” the office said.

The clarification came amid questions over whether the proposed sports hub would involve a private operator or commercial arrangement.

For now, the request before the council covers only the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the existing structure and surrounding area, as well as authority to repurpose the site for future use.

If the city later decides to engage a private operator, tenant, concessionaire or other third party for any portion of the sports hub, the SRP-MO said the appropriate contractual arrangement would undergo a separate review and approval process.

Such an arrangement could cover the terms of use, rental or revenue sharing, public access and other conditions.

The proposed sports hub also sits within property covered by the Joint Venture Agreement between the City of Cebu and Filinvest.

The SRP-MO said the subject area forms part of the open space required under the agreement, making its proposed use for sports and recreation compatible with the property's designation.

Because the area must remain open space and permanent structures face restrictions under the JVA, the proposal does not call for the construction of a substantial new permanent structure.

Instead, the project would rehabilitate the existing facility and make productive use of the surrounding open area for sports and recreational activities.

If the proposal moves forward, the SRP-MO said it will coordinate with the Office of the Building Official and other concerned city offices for the necessary technical evaluations, permits, clearances, and other compliance requirements.

These technical requirements remain separate from questions involving a future private operator or commercial arrangement, which the office said would arise only if a definite proposal involving a third party comes forward.

The SRP-MO said the project aims to maximize the use of an existing city asset while creating a space that could encourage physical activity, recreation and community interaction.

The proposed sports hub could also support the city's objectives on health, wellness, sports development and the productive use of public spaces, the office said.(TGP)