CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—After more than 20 years of neglect, the city government-owned Lawndale Spring swimming pool complex has completed its reboot, and opens to the public on April 8 in time for the summer season.
Constructed in the 1980s, Lawndale Spring was constructed by the city government to commemorate its city sisterhood with Lawndale, California, USA.
The spring is surrounded with lush forests, and the spring produces 600 gallons of fresh, cold water per minute.
The redesigned resort now has five pools, including an Olympic-sized pool. It also features a separate pool for persons with disability, with ramps and handle bars.
The two kiddie pools also feature a ramp for easy access for PWD children. Machines filter the water in the pools, to ensure it is clean and fit for swimming.
Mayor Oscar Moreno said he is happy with the result of the project to reinvigorate the tourism site.
“Obviously, we are happy with the result, this is just a start, we can do more, develop this site even more,” Moreno said. “With the limited resources we have, this is more than we can ask for.”
According to Councilor Jay Roa Pascual, the city spent P20 million to redevelop the complex.
The entire complex was demolished and redesigned, the old lone swimming pool was covered, and the water source was recovered and rehabilitated, Pascual said.
The resort now employs 10 lifeguards who are trained and certified by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department in life saving and basic life support. They are also certified by the Philippine Red Cross certification for Basic Life Support.
The City Tourism Office said the resort is already fully booked with reservations for the entire month of April. Nipa huts and concrete cottages are available for rent. It also has a barbecue area.
Pascual said the resort prohibits alcoholic beverages and smoking. “Since this is a public and family resorts, in line with anti-smoking in public spaces campaign of the government,” he added.
Moreno said it is imperative the city government invests in the development of Lawndale Spring, “not just to make it as tourism attraction in the city, but in the near future, for the entire region.”