Gerard Rey Lico The 30th SEA Games

In addition to the challenges of rehabilitation, the Philippine Sports Commission designated the Rizal Memorial Coliseum as one of the venues for the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated to open on November 30, 2019. This condensed the rehabilitation time frame from an ideal 12 months, down to four months. Key components and materials had to be sourced from local, readily available suppliers. Imported materials, such as the air-conditioning system had to have a guarantee for timely delivery from their suppliers. Towards the end of the third month, over 400 workers were on-site, working 24/7 in three shifts.

In July 2019, to engage the public in the process of rehabilitation, a fence exhibit was launched along the board-up fence of the site while rehabilitation works were on-going. The exhibit featured archival photographs of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, a timeline of its history, and a brief bi-lingual introduction to the complex’s origins and significance. This exhibit was intended to re-introduce the public to the building, generate anticipation for the rehabilitation, and to place government heritage conservation efforts into the public consciousness.

First things, first

As the rehabilitation commenced, the first priority was to remove all debris, and dismantle all the unnecessary additions that have accrued over the years—light frame partitions, wooden mezzanines, defunct vents and exhaust fans, uncharacteristic gates and metalwork, obsolete seating, and old sporting equipment. The freestanding concrete canopy, which was thought to be built in the 1980s, was demolished as it diminished the aesthetics of the façade and blocked sunlight from entering the main lobby. As they were slated to be replaced to make way for air-conditioning, most of the windows were removed.

Keeping it cool

By far, the largest component of the rehabilitation was the installation of a centralized air-conditioning system, which is composed of indoor air handling units (AHUs), outdoor air-cooled condensing units (ACCUs), and the air distribution system or (ducting). The installation of the system required rooms to be cleared and repurposed to accommodate AHUs. Wall and slab openings were created to accommodate vents, ducting, and facilitate return airflow.