A brand new home will soon rise for members of the Blazers varsity teams and scholars of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), with the construction of the Dorm-Sports Complex.
The recent groundbreaking ceremony was attended by DLS-CSB President Brother Dennis Magbanua FSC, Board of Trustees Chairman Nestor Jardin, Board of Trustees members Brother Michael Valenzuela, Mayo Ongsingko, and Arthur Gindap, Chancellor Robert Tang, Dean for Student Life Norie Ador Dionisio, and Center for Sports Development Director Stephen Fernandez.
Also present during the event were Blazers Basketball Team Head Coach Tyrone ‘TY’ Tang, 2016 Rio Olympian and Benilde Business Management Student Hidilyn Diaz and alumnae Taekwondo Olympian Kirstie Elaine Alora and Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong.
The building that will rise on a 4,196.8 square-meter lot on San Isidro corner Dominga Streets, near Taft Avenue, will include several athletic facilities for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and swimming. It shall also house studios and training rooms for taekwondo and other martial arts, a gym for weight and endurance training, and physical therapy amenities.
On the other hand, the dormitory will serve as the quarters of academic, athletic, and deserving scholars, and even out-of-town transient guests, such as visiting professors, lecturers, exchange students, and alumni.
“With the growing student population in Benilde, which also includes our scholars, there is a real need to provide a new abode for them,” said Dionisio. “This place is envisioned to become more spacious, nurturing, and to facilitate the holistic development of our Benildean scholars.”
Dionisio added, “Despite the very challenging times in the education sector due to K to 12, Benilde still manages to prioritize its commitment to improve and uplift the general condition of our students through its provision for the new Dorm and Sports Building. They say when we dream, let us dream big.”
The complex is expected to be completed in 2018.