Rama Plans ‘Super Multi-Purpose’ Building

Mayor Michael Rama encouraged any investors to build a giant building at the South Road Properties (SRP) that can be used for commercial purposes and for big sports activities.

The mayor tasked SRP manager Roberto “Bo” Varquez to look for an investor who can construct a so-called ‘Super Multi-Purpose’ building with an architectural design where the inside structure offers a huge area for sports activities, while the surrounding area can be used also for commercial purposes.

Rama said he is amenable that the project will be constructed through a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) scheme where the project implementor would be the one to operate the building for a specific number of years and after the term, the ownership of the structure will be turned over to the city.

The plan was hatched in the mind of the 57-year old mayor following a major technical glitch at the recent Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. basketball final game at the Cebu Coliseum last week.

Rama said the Cebu Coliseum that used to be the biggest building that can accommodate over 10,000 people in 1970’s now can no longer afford to accept all people who wish to witness interesting sports activities.

The mayor last week watched the CESAFI final game between University of the Visayas and Southwestern University at the Cebu Coliseum where the UV Lancers defeated the SWU Cobras in a game that went on despite a busted shot clock and a timer.

According to the SRP manager he is proposing two locations for the mayor to choose, one option is the seven-hectare lot beside the city hall block and UP campus while the other is the lot beside the SM development near Mambaling Access Road.