The group of tycoon Enrique Razon yesterday said the City of Manila would benefit from “urban renewal” and unlock more revenues from the preservation and redevelopment of the 82-year-old Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC).

The statement was issued by the Razon group on the heels of an online signature campaign among heritage conservation advocates opposing the conversion of the sports complex – cited as an “architectural and historical gem” into a shopping mall.

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Originally built in 1934, RMSC was destroyed during World War II, reconstructed in 1953 and renovated in 2011. The complex is owned by the City of Manila and managed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

In its statement, the Razon group said that for the longest time, RMSC had not undergone any structural and facilities improvements or upgrading, rendering it “virtually unsuitable and unsafe not only for training athletes, but especially for holding not only local but also international games.”

“The City has had no income from RMSC for years now, leaving the city with no funds to modernize facilities,” the statement said.

Of late, the Razon group noted that the PSC had been considering to transfer the RMSC to a different location, possibly Clark, in order to build the Philippine Olympic Village. This new sports complex is envisioned to be a larger and more modern sports complex complete with training facilities for national athletes as well as facilities to host large sports meets. This is expected to happen when funding for the relocation is complete.

In the meantime, the group said the City of Manila had not geneated any income from the RMSC which could have been used to preserve the complex.

“Through all these years, no individual or group, be that government or private, has offered to re-develop the RMSC. Today, it stands derelict and a sad reminder of the Philippines’ former glory days in sports,” the Razon group said.

The group said it had, for some time now, been offering to re-develop and revitalize the RMSC through a preservation and urban renewal project.

“Fully cognizant that RMSC is a sports landmark and of the close association that Filipinos have for sports, the Razon group, in its preservation plan, will maintain as well as fortify the RMSC façade,” the group said.

But within the façade and walls will rise contemporary buildings that will house modern offices and commercial areas run by smart technologies, replete with modern amenities and green open spaces, the group said, adding that a sports museum would also be built.

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The group said the business areas were expected to compensate for the “expensive” and “meticulous” process of restoring and preserving the RMSC façade.

“With this urban renewal, Manila is expected to quickly catch up with other cities in the National Capital Region that have quickly grown and modernized,” the group said.

“Moreover, the revitalized RMSC is expected to provide a new revenue stream for Manila, as well as create thousands of jobs,” it added.

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