Bacolod City inaugurated what officials described as the country’s largest covered skate park on Saturday, October 4.
The ₱241 million Bacolod Skate Park and Multi-Purpose Center, located in Barangay Vista Alegre, is seen as a major asset in the city’s bid to host the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Games.
The inauguration of the facility was led by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya.
Mayor Gasataya said “We’re aligning Bacolod as one of the sports destinations in the country.”
Her said he informed Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick Gregorio “that the biggest covered skate park is in Bacolod City.”
He said the state-of-the-art multi-purpose center, which also includes a basketball court, is integral to Bacolod’s bid host the Batang Pinoy games next year.
Gasataya noted the center could also serve as a training hub for skating and other sports, and as a dormitory.
The new covered venue is expected to ignite a resurgence of interest in skateboarding and BMX in the region, Benitez said.
“Their interest is finally back, hopefully Bacolod can produce athletes who are internationally recognized,” Benitez said.
The facility that was part of the projects initiated during his term as mayor, “reflects our continuing commitment to advance education, promote youth development, and foster community engagement in Bacolod City”, Benitez said.
Local architect Paulo Gepulango praised the landmark project, saying it was a “dream come true” after two decades of requests from the community.
“It’s one of the best skate parks in the Philippines now. We have a covered facility; usually, skate parks are open,” Gepulango said.
He stressed the importance of promoting skateboarding and BMX racing as both are Olympic events.
National skateboarding team member and Bacolod native Cindy Lou Serna — the reigning Skate Pilipinas 2025 tour women’s champion — witnessed the opening and shared her excitement.
Serna, who previously had to train in Manila, said, “This is a big help for the skateboarding community here, especially for the young kids in Bacolod who are good at skating. Now I can train here.”
The national government-funded project, initiated in 2023 by the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6, is designed to be a dynamic hub for athletic and community events, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The expansive complex features a state-of-the-art 1,355-square-meter skate park and a two-story Multi-Purpose Sports Center spanning 3,141 square meters, complete with a ticketing office.
It also features a basketball court, a multi-purpose function hall, administrative offices, storage rooms, a kitchen/food preparation area, and shower and laundry areas.
The new venue will see its first major competition soon, as participants from across the Philippines are set to gather for the MassKaralympics BMX and Skateboard Competition on October 11 and 12.*With a report from Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA