Cebu City eyes skatepark at ex-Sinulog site in SRP

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Skateboarders, BMX riders, inline skaters, scooter riders, and other extreme sports enthusiasts here may soon have a temporary place to train and hold activities if a proposal at the City Council on Tuesday, July 14, pulls through.

The proposal seeks to temporarily open a portion of the South Road Properties (SRP), particularly the former Sinulog Grand Parade grounds, as a public skatepark while the city works toward establishing a permanent extreme sports facility.

Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” M. Alcover Jr. authored the measure. It requests Mayor Nestor Archival to authorize the temporary use of the government-owned property for skateboarding, BMX, scootering, inline skating, and other recognized extreme sports.

READ: Margielyn Didal shares skateboarding donation drive in Cebu

The proposal is part of the agenda for the City Council’s regular session on Tuesday, July 14.

Temporary venue

If approved, the resolution would allow athletes and enthusiasts to use part of the former Sinulog parade grounds until Cebu City establishes a permanent venue dedicated to extreme sports.

The proposal states that the city currently has no adequate public skatepark capable of accommodating the growing number of skateboarders and other extreme sports practitioners.

Because of the lack of a dedicated facility, many enthusiasts reportedly use sidewalks, streets, parking areas, plazas, and other public spaces not intended for such activities, creating safety concerns for both participants and pedestrians.

READ: 14-year-old skater dies after being hit by MPUJ in Cebu City

Why the SRP?

According to the proposed resolution, the former Sinulog Grand Parade grounds provide a spacious, government-owned area that could be temporarily used without affecting future government infrastructure and development projects, provided appropriate safety standards, operational guidelines, and management policies are in place.

The proposal says designating the area as a temporary skatepark would provide athletes with a safer place to train, recreate, organize competitions, and encourage greater youth participation in sports while supporting Cebu City’s sports development efforts.

Didal’s appeal

Alcover cited the increasing number of skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter riders, inline skaters, and other extreme sports enthusiasts in Cebu City.

The resolution also notes that internationally acclaimed Cebuana skateboarder Margielyn Didal, together with fellow athletes, youth organizations, and members of the extreme sports community, recently conducted a peaceful parade and public appeal urging the city government to establish a safe and dedicated public skatepark.

It further states that Alcover’s office has conducted consulted skateboarders, extreme sports practitioners, youth leaders, and other stakeholders. They reportedly expressed the need for a safe, accessible, and properly designated venue where they can train, hold competitions, and develop athletes who may represent Cebu City and the Philippines in national and international events.

Help in managing facility

Should the proposal be adopted, the City Government would also be encouraged to coordinate with representatives of the skateboarding and extreme sports community, sports organizations, youth groups, and other stakeholders in planning, managing, maintaining, promoting, and ensuring the responsible use of the temporary skatepark.

Copies of the proposed resolution would also be furnished to the Office of the City Administrator, Cebu City Sports Commission, Department of Engineering and Public Works, Cebu City Transportation Office, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office for their information and appropriate action.

The proposal would still need to be discussed and acted upon by the Cebu City Council before any request is formally transmitted to the Office of the Mayor.

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