Skateboard and BMX enthusiasts can now play and hone their skills in Lapu-Lapu City where the city government opened a P3 million-skate park at the Hoops Dome complex.
“I can imagine how eager you were to have your own place where you can play and enjoy your sports safely,” said Mayor Paz Radaza at the formal opening last Sunday.
She said they no longer have to go to the streets or under the Mandaue-Mactan bridge where they were viewed as a public disturbance, and their gear would be confiscated.
She urged them to be disciplined skaters, follow rules that will soon be implemented by the city, and put safety first.
The Lapu-Lapu city government decided to put up a skate park facility last year inspired by the achievement of a group of local long board skaters who did well in international competitions.
John Rex “Dandoy” Tongco, who has been leading a team in completions in different countries, mostly in Asia, has won several championships.
Tongco thanked city officials for the new facility.
“We skaters also show respect for the law especially the city ordinances because we have been given a place. Let’s avoid skating in the streets,” he said.
The opening of the facility last Sunday was followed by a skateboard competition participated by athletes from the city, southern Cebu, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro cities.
While the extreme sports competition was going on, a Bisrock music festival was held with over a thousand youths.
Daniel Ledermann of Moalboal town was declared champion of the Street Skate event.
JM Ocana of Bacolod City was 1st runner up and Cebu City’s Edjer Morales was 2nd runner up.
In the Skate Bowl event, Arjun Jimenez of Talisay bagged the championship; Dandoy Tongco of Lapu-Lapu City was 1st runner up and Pierre Anton Bautista of Cagayan de Oro City finished 2nd runner up.
Antoni Ryan Tan of Lahug, Cebu City serves as the manager and coach of the team, the group has 15 skaters. Lapu-Lapu City now has several groups of skaters including women.
Councilor Harry Radaza said that with the new skate park, it may be time for the City Council to pass an ordinance penalizing skaters on the streets.
Engr. Allan Pedrigal of the city engineering’s office said this is the only skate park in the country owned by a local government.
He said there is one in Manila but it was owned by a private entity.
BMX sports was recently added as an official sports in the Asian Games and the Olympics. The country’s lone gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games came from Fil-Am Daniel Caluag who domintated the BMX cycling event.
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