Cebu City skateboarders may soon have a dedicated public skatepark as the city government begins identifying a possible site and consulting the local skateboarding and action-sports community.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. issued a memorandum on Aug. 20 creating the Special Body for the Development of the Proposed Cebu City Public Skatepark and Promotion of Skateboarding and Action Sports.
The special body will assess potential sites, coordinate with city offices and stakeholders, and gather recommendations that will guide the proposed facility.
Councilor Jun Alcover will chair the group, with Councilor Nice Archival as vice chairperson. Its members are Councilor Dave Tumulak, Cebu City Sports Commission Executive Director Rafael Alcoseba and Parks and Playgrounds Commission Executive Director Augustus Pe III.
The group’s immediate task is to identify and assess potential locations for the skatepark.
It will conduct site inspections and coordinate with relevant city offices and stakeholders to determine whether proposed locations are suitable for the project.
The group will also examine the facility’s preliminary design and configuration, safety requirements, operational considerations and other technical aspects.
The memorandum directs the special body to coordinate with the Cebu City Sports Commission, City Planning and Development Office, Department of Engineering and Public Works, City Youth Development Office, Office of the Building Official and Parks and Playgrounds Commission, among other offices.
National government agencies, technical experts, sports organizations, community groups and other stakeholders may also be invited to participate when necessary.
The city government will also seek input from skateboarders and other action-sports practitioners before finalizing its recommendations.
The special body is tasked with obtaining and consolidating their recommendations with the technical assessments of concerned city offices.
The consultations will cover potential sites, facility design and configuration, safety measures and operational requirements.
After completing its assessment, the group will submit recommendations to the mayor covering the proposed site, preliminary concept and possible implementation framework.
It is required to submit a consolidated report within 30 days from receipt of the memorandum, unless the mayor authorizes a longer period.
The move follows a proposal filed before the Cebu City Council in July to temporarily convert a portion of the South Road Properties (SRP), particularly the former Sinulog Grand Parade grounds, into a public skatepark.
The proposal, also authored by Alcover, sought to provide a temporary venue for skateboarders, BMX riders, inline skaters, scooter riders and other action-sports enthusiasts while the city works toward a permanent facility.
The proposed resolution cited the lack of an adequate public skatepark in the city and said enthusiasts have been using sidewalks, streets, parking areas, plazas and other spaces not intended for skateboarding and similar activities.
According to the proposal, this creates safety concerns for both athletes and pedestrians.
The temporary SRP facility was envisioned as a venue for training, competitions and youth participation in action sports.
The resolution also cited consultations with skateboarders, extreme-sports practitioners, youth leaders and other stakeholders who expressed the need for a safe, accessible and properly designated venue.
Such a facility could also help develop athletes who may represent Cebu City and the Philippines in national and international competitions, according to the proposal.
The latest memorandum does not name a final location for the proposed skatepark.
It also does not specify the project’s cost, funding source or construction timetable.
For now, the special body is limited to assessing possible sites, consulting stakeholders and consolidating technical and community recommendations before submitting them to the mayor.
The memorandum said the city recognizes the need for safe, accessible and inclusive recreational spaces for young people and the broader community.
The special body will operate in a consultative, coordinative and recommendatory capacity. It will not create a new city government office or give its members administrative, supervisory or disciplinary authority over city departments and employees.
Its members will also not receive additional compensation or be considered separately appointed city government officials by virtue of their participation in the group.
Photo courtesy of Portland Gov’t
Comments