Festival Mall in Muntinlupa will host bowling competitions during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The Philippine Sports Commission, following a board meeting, has agreed to shoulder the renovation of the 36-lane bowling center in the mall. The bowling lanes are inside the Gameworx Recreational Center.
Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee executive director Tom Carrasco said this after Philippine Bowling Congress officials made a proposal to help rehabilitate the bowling facilities of Gameworx, which is a privately owned establishment.
“This is very critical for the long term development of tenpin bowling,” stated Carrasco.
The facilities have been neglected for years.
Carrasco explained that interest in facilities was renewed after PBC secretary general Bong Coo visited it with competition manager Gina Avecilla and a representative from bowling equipment company, Brunswick.
Following the visit, ot was learned that its lane machines can still be fixed.
The PSC board, led by Chairman William Ramirez, has since approved funding for its repair, which will be done in the coming months, and right before the biennial meet starts.
The PBC plans to turn the facilities into a national training center afterwards.
For now, talks are scheduled with the owners on the lease of the property.
So far, the government sports agency will have more funds that it can use for the renovation and repair work for facilities that are under its care.
The agency has extra funds totaling around P854 million.
The funds were made available to the agency for such an undertaking as preparations continue for the country’s hosting of the biennial meet.
The PSC got a lift last Wednesday after Philippine Gaming Corporation chairwoman Andrea Domingo handed over an initial amount, a check worth P800-million.
So far, repair work will start with the gymnastics facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Makeovers will also be done at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Memorial football and track oval.
Renovations are also scheduled for the Philsports multipurpose arena in Pasig.