There may be another temporary closure for the Cebu City Sports Center.
Cebu City’s biggest sporting venue is up for another major renovation.
The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has recommended a total rehabilitation of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) in order to fix several logistical problems.
According to a report from Sunstar Cebu, the CCSC’s newly installed LED lights led to the overloading of the CCSC’s electrical system. (2025)
The DEPW recommended that the system be completely replaced as some of the wires had already been exposed, which is a big hazard.
This will cover most of the budget required for the project, which is set at a whopping Php 64,891,000.
A report from The Freeman states that the project includes repainting offices, replacing damaged ceilings and tiles, and renovating the remaining comfort rooms. (2025)
The badminton area on the second floor will also have a few minor changes and repairs to its electrical wiring.
The grandstand by the swimming pool will be renovated as well, while sprinklers and other fire protection equipment will be installed to comply with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) mandates.
To improve security, they plan to add more CCTV cameras on both floors.
PREVIOUS RENOVATIONS
The CCSC is off-limits whenever renovations are being done. This will be the third time in two years that the sports center has been closed for repairs and improvements.
In 2023, it was closed for over a year to give way to improvements for the Palarong Pambansa in 2024. It reopened on June 27th, just in time for the major sporting event.
However, the renovations were met with criticism as the rubberized track oval showed serious damage even before the event started.
An article on CDN Digital mentioned that holes were found on the track, sparking a lot of concern from Cebu’s running community. (2025)
Additionally, the track oval caused problems for Palarong Pambansa organizers, as it fell 0.88 meters short of the 400-meter World Athletics standard distance, as reported by Rappler. (2024)
As a result, several records were nullified for track events at 200 meters and beyond.
This led to yet another major renovation in November of last year, closing once more until it reopened in January 2025.
THE FUTURE OF THE CEBU CITY SPORTS CENTER
The renovations aim to improve the sports center’s amenities, especially since the city government is planning on hosting many more events there in the future.
The CCSC was the venue for a free concert in line with the return of the Sinulog Festival. Despite several logistical challenges, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia promised that more events will be held there.
The concert, which featured Bisaya artists like TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan, and JK Labajo, drew over 30,000 viewers, with around 5,000 to 7,000 unable to enter because of the congestion.
Mayor Garcia mentioned that they will switch from a ticketing system to a “first come, first serve” basis in the future in order to manage the crowd.
As of writing, the oval track is open for jogging daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Regular entrance fee costs Php 20 for mornings, and Php 25 for afternoons. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities get a five peso discount when they present their IDs.
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Many, especially frequent joggers and fitness gurus, frequent the CCSC for an olympic-like run. With another temporary closure, sports enthusiasts can only hope for worthwhile improvements.
The sports center first opened in 1996, becoming an important part of Cebu’s history, especially as the main venue for the Sinulog Festival and its popular sporting league. But as the rest of the city develops, so does this popular public space.
The renovations serve as a step to developing Cebu City as a more prestigious metropolis in the Philippines that is safe and full of exciting activities for Cebuanos and tourists alike.
REFERENCES:
Seblos, John Paul. 2025. “DEPW: CCSC needs electrical overhaul.” Sunstar Cebu.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/depw-ccsc-needs-electrical-overhaul
Mascardo, Iris Hazel. 2025. “CCSC to undergo total rehab.” The Freeman.
https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2025/02/06/2419592/ccsc-undergo-total-rehab
Rosal, Glendale. 2025. “CCSC track oval reopens on Friday.” CDN Digital.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/619105/ccsc-track-oval-reopens-on-friday
Escurdera, Christa. 2024. “Track troubles: Why 11 Palaro athletics records got nullified.” Rappler.
https://www.rappler.com/sports/palarong-pambansa/records-nullified-track-oval-controversy-2024/
