New skate park prone to accidents?

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuana skateboarder and 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal hopes Cebu City’s P12-million skate park project won’t become a white elephant.

Didal made the statement after her group’s suggestions on the skate park’s design allegedly fell on deaf ears.

The design includes a rink with street course, flat course for beginners, half pipe, bowl, pump track, and mini grand stand. It will be built on the 4,000-square meter city-owned property at the back of Fort San Pedro.

The design, however, did not sit well with Didal, Peter Lindgreen, Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines' Visayas Regional director, and other skateboarding enthusiasts.

Didal said the design was only showed to them yesterday, contrary to the earlier statement of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. that it already got the nod of the group.

The skateboarder said the design is prone to accident with short and narrow street course, which allows skaters to hit a number of different obstacles.

“Kung kana ilang design na gipakita mao na gyud na and di sila maminaw namo, di ra gihapon ko kagamit ana for my training and di gihapon ta ka produce og lain pang mga mas maayo na skaters diri sa atoa kung mao na,” said Didal.

Didal and Lindgreen approached architect Roy Philip Arriola yesterday to discuss the design, but the latter reportedly begged off and said a meeting will be called soon to tackle the matter.

They said they just want to make sure the money and the project won’t be put to waste.

Gabuya, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on games, amusement, and sports, said the design proposed by Didal was followed.

"I don't think so, na-follow gyud to. I think they are referring the old design. But you know, it's only phase one, all the defects can be rectified in the second phase," he said.

Gabuya said the phase one of the project includes flat and street courses.

"For so many months now, they are using the Cebu City Sports Institute’s parking area, very small. Wala lagi complaints? In fact, they want to continue using the space even if we are constructing the one in Fort San Pedro," he said.

Construction

On the other hand, the construction of the skate park project is set to start weeks from now.  It is expected to last for three months.

The park would be operational by February next year.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the skate park was held at Plaza Independencia yesterday in time for the commemoration of the 102nd birthday of former senator Sergio “Serging” Osmeña Jr.

The ceremony was attended by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his sister, Maria Victoria “Minnie” Osmeña, and other government officials.

Minnie donated P5 million for the project. The remaining P7 million will be sourced from the city’s coffers.

“We have to keep them (skateboarders) off the streets. Instead of skateboarding behind the jeepney, it's so much safe for them to have their own place. We have to promote sports in Cebu City for the children so that they will not go and do other things,” she said.

Minnie said the skate park is her father’s gift to the youth.

Minnie and Tomas, on behalf of the city government, entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) yesterday.

The MOA states that the city government shall provide land for the facility, shall exercise administration and dominion over skateboarding park, and shall absolute owner of the facility after the turn-over and delivery.

Victoria, on the other hand, is responsible for the construction of the skate park and she will turn-over the facility to the city government once it is done, among others. — USJ-R Intern Isabella G. Obor, KBQ (FREEMAN)