The equipment that will be used in the gymnastics’ competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games is now in place inside the newly restored Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Vito Cruz.
The equipment, which includes a parallel bar and horse vault, has been laid out on rubberized matting, which is on top of a wooden court that is used for basketball games.
The gymnastics’ competitions are set to open on Dec. 1, some nine months after the 85-year-old Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum was closed down for renovation.
“Marami na kaming binago dito since na nag-renovate kami,” said venue manager Rufino Sedenilla.
The whole arena is now air-conditioned and the mesh barriers meant to separate fans who fought during games of the NCAA days back in the 1970s are no longer around.
This means that fans can now move freely from place to place in the upper areas.
The vinyl floor covering on the stairs along the upper box of the spectator stands has anti-bacterial qualities and is fireproof.
The seats are retractable and can be moved out of sight when not in use.
There is now a holding area for visitors, while the public toilets have now been given a more classic look with their fixtures.
Outside, the coliseum has been given a white finish and the steel barriers to its entrances are gone. Instead, glass panelings have taken the place of the barriers.
Since April this year, when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation remitted P842.5 million to the Philippine Sports Commission for the complex’s renovation.
The tennis courts and the football stadium have also undergone renovations. The arnis gymnasium have also been built.
The coliseum was originally designed by architect Juan Arellano.
It was ruined by war in 1945 and was first rehabilitated in 1953 in preparation for the hosting of the 2nd Asian Games.
This is the first time in 66 years that the Rizal Memorial Coliseum has gone hrough a major makeover.