City solar-heated swimming pool ready by Sept

By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- A solar-heated swimming pool at the Baguio Athletic Bowl will be opened to the public by September as rehabilitation works are now being finalized to meet the deadline according to the City Sports Development Office.

The 43 million rehabilitation project covers the repair and installation of solar panel roof to serve as heater of the pool to decrease the electric consumption of the sports complex.

Based on the feasibility study conducted by the Department of Energy last year, installing a solar technology for the swimming pool can result to the reduction of electric bill by 50 percent while the return of investment is protracted in 13-15 years.

The membrane and roof was likewise extended to provide shade up to the bleachers area as well as the enclosure of the structure for safety purposes and repainting works. The floor was also refurbished with new tiles, new locker rooms constructed and new comfort rooms with heated shower facilities are also included in the project.

Sports Development Officer Gaudencio Gonzales said an initial site inspection will be conducted next month with test run of the solar heating system to ensure that everything is up and running.

“We hope to utilize the refurbished swimming pool by October and November for the city schools sports meet and for our athletes to train in time for the Cordillera Administrative Regions Athletic Association meet by February 2020,” Gonzales said.

The rehabilitation work is being undertaken by RAJ Construction as the winning bidder with a notice to proceed issued in February and works went full blast in March prompting the closure of the swimming pool.

The city’s swimming pool serves as a competition venue not only to the city sport events but also caters to regional, inter-regional and national events.