The city government is targeting the completion of the rehabilitation of the Baguio Athletic Bowl before the end of 2026, paving the way for a possible bid to host the 2028 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) meet.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Monday that the facility would be opened to athletes immediately after the work is completed.

“Mako-complete bago matapos ang taon, magbubukas din agad para magamit na ng mga athletes natin (It will be completed before the end of the year and immediately opened for our athletes),” he said in a phone interview.

Magalong and city officials inspected the ongoing construction of the tennis court, track oval and youth convergence center inside the Athletic Bowl during the last week of October to assess the progress of the projects.

The athletic facility was closed to the public in the last week of October 2025, while the tennis court was closed in February 2025.

The inspections were intended to monitor project implementation, identify construction challenges and determine measures needed to ensure timely completion and quality work, the mayor said.

Magalong stressed the importance of ensuring that infrastructure projects are properly managed and provide tangible benefits to residents.

Batang Pinoy preparations

Meanwhile, Baguio is preparing to send 596 athletes to the Batang Pinoy 2026 National Championships in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, scheduled for Dec. 12-18.

The delegation will include 103 coaches and 57 officials.

With the Athletic Bowl still undergoing rehabilitation, athletes are training at various venues across the city. These include Melvin Jones at Burnham Park for track and field, John Hay for golf, Loakan for cycling, Bayan Park in Aurora Hill for skateboarding and Puyat Sports for bowling.

The preparations aim to get the young athletes ready for the weeklong national competition, which is expected to draw about 36,000 athletes, coaches and officials from across the country competing in 30 sports. (PNA)