The conversion and redevelopment of the prewar Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a commercial center will push through, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said.
Speaking at a recent media forum, Estrada said Manila intends to put to good use the land where the vast but decrepit complex stands, and turn it into something that will be more beneficial to the city government.
“Yes, it’s sure,” Estrada said, when asked if the city government would still reclaim the historic property amid stiff opposition from heritage advocates, prominent sports personalities, and different sports organizations.
“It is still owned by the City of Manila. The PSC [Philippine Sports Commission] has usufruct rights only,” Estrada said of the 8.4-hectare plot where the RMSC is located.
“The Rizal Memorial stadium is still owned and will remain to be a property of the government. We will not sell it. It will just be developed into sports, recreational, and business center under a joint venture agreement,” he added.
Defending the city government’s move, the mayor pointed out the conversion of RMSC is part of his administration’s urban development program.
“Nobody is using it. No income. Everything looks old. How can the city depend on this? The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex is antiquated,” Estrada stressed.
He said the PSC needs a new, world-class sports center complete with athlete’s villages and modern training facilities, like the one being envisioned on a 100-hectare property in Clark, Pampanga that will be provided by the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
Instead of continuing to be a “white elephant,” the RMSC might as well be used to earn income for the city government and provide needed funds for socio-development projects for the poor and underprivileged, Estrada said, calling it “a waste.”
The city government is reportedly in discussions with the Razon Group owned by tycoon Enrique Razon, which eyes to turn the property into a modern urban complex, including commercial buildings, a shopping mall and a sports museum.
Once it gives up control of the sports complex, PSC expects to get around P2 billion from the sale, just enough to build the new training center in Clark, the reports added.
Built in 1934, the sports complex, including the Rizal Memorial Coliseum built for basketball, survived World War II. It has hosted several international sports events such as the Far Eastern Games, the 1954 Asian Games, and the Southeast Asian Games in 1981, 1991 and 2005.
The Beatles also held a concert there in 1966.