BY JOEL ESCOL, Managing Editor & DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO, Correspondent
MALAYBALAY CITY – The 13-hectare Bukidnon Sports Complex and Cultural Center, located along Sayre highway in Barangay Laguitas, this city, was inaugurated on April 12, 2024, with hundreds of dignitaries, special guests and people from all walks of life in attendance.
The inauguration of the multi-million sports complex and cultural center will signal the hosting of the province to various local, national and international sporting events and cultural presentations.
The sprawling 13-hectare complex nestled in Brgy. Laguitas, Malaybalay, was a collaborative endeavor between the Bukidnon Provincial Government and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Boasting amenities such as a fencing court, museum, dormitory, grandstand complete with track and oval, gymnasium, and an aquatic center, this multifaceted venue promises to be a hub of activity. Once completed, it will serve as the venue for various Palarong Pambansa qualifying events and national games, as well as cultural performances. Additionally, the museum will become a focal point for cultural events and will house a collection of artifacts showcasing the rich history of the province.
The Philippine Harmonic Orchestra became the inaugural cultural event during the inauguration day, in which most of the audience experienced first hand the ethnic performances of said international caliber talents from the Philippines.
The province of Bukidnon has also invited entertainers from Metro Manila to entertain the crowd. They were Gian Magdangal, Alma Maigue Alden Richards, Karencitta and Ben and Ben band.
ONE BUKIDNON
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, in his message, thanked the people in Bukidnon for their continued support to the Zubiri’s in which until now they have continued their noble mission to serve the province as a public servant.
During the ceremony, signing of the Bukidnon Rules was done where officials and guests came forward to affirm their commitment to abide by the principles outlined in the document. Each signature marks a powerful statement and a pledge to empower individuals by means of unity, respect and collaboration to build a harmonious province of Bukidnon.
Provincial leaders who participated in the signing included Governor Oneil Roque, Rep. Jose Manuel “Joeman” Alba, Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, Rep. Laarni Roque, Board Members Nemesio “Jun” Beltran, and Arlene Ayon.
Zubiri has also thanked all the leaders in the province for their active role in making Bukidnon one of the fastest booming provinces in Mindanao and in the country as a whole.
The senator also echoed his expectation to the future events that will be hosted by the province to make the multi-million sports complex and cultural center known in every part of the country.
FACILITIES
The brand new sports complex and cultural center has the following amenities, to wit:
- Auditorium for theater and cultural performances.
- Museum for exhibits and conservation of historical artifacts.
- Gymnasium with 3,000 seating capacity for basketball, badminton, and martial arts.
- Aquatic Center with a 13-lane Olympic size swimming pool and a diving pool.
- Stadium with 6,000 seating capacity.
- Open parking space with 325 car slots and 44 bus slots.
- Tennis with 4 courts and 640 seating capacity.
- Dormitory with a 1,536-bed capacity.
- Open field with 800 seating capacity.
