The renovation of the Olympic-sized swimming and diving pools at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City is now going on, and hopefully, it would be completed by April, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping said the other day.

“We are taking it one project at a time. Right now, we’re focused on completing this renovation of the swimming and diving pools,” said Angping.

Angping, however, refused to reveal the exact amount the government sports agency has allocated for their latest project.

The PSC has also renovated the side of the Rizal Memorial Track Stadium at the Adriatico extension to become a “sports mall”.

The PSC chief said the facilities inside the pool area are no longer conducive and safe for the training of athletes since it was last renovated in 1986.

And with no one maintaining the diving pool, Angping said, it became a “fish pond”.

Angping added that the engineering department of the PSC has added height of the diving boards to 10 meters, 7.5m and 5m, as well as the depth of the pool to 16 feet, to conform with the International Swimming Federation (FINA) standard.

Reconstructions started last February, the same month they also started renovating the fencing hall and the laundry area. Six large washing machines were also provided for the athletes.

Repairs in the 24-room dormitory were also completed, where each room has its own bathroom and air-conditioning facilities A room can accommodate as many as eight athletes.

Dormitories at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex are also being renovated, while the PSC also plans to reconstruct the Rizal Memorial Football field in the coming months.