Amoranto Sports Complex

(Redirected from Amoranto Velodrome)

The Amoranto Sports Complex is located in Quezon City, Philippines.

Amoranto Sports Complex
AddressDon A. Roces Ave, Diliman,
Quezon City, Metro Manila,
Philippines
Coordinates14°37′47.6″N 121°01′23.8″E / 14.629889°N 121.023278°E / 14.629889; 121.023278
Main venueMain Stadium
Capacity: 15,000
Other sports facilitiesIndoor arena, indoor sports facility, tennis courts, Olympic swimming pool
Construction
Opened1966 (1966)
Renovated2022
Construction cost₱2 million
Tenants
Quezon City Toda Aksyon (MPBL) (2024–present)

History

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The Amoranto Sports Complex was inaugurated in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos. The facility was constructed at the cost of ₱2 million on a government owned site on Roces Avenue. The facility then consisted of a grandstand, an eight lane track and field oval, bleachers and a gymnasium.[1]

The sports complex fell into disuse in the 2010s with its last competition being the 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games. Filipino national cyclists resided inside the complex until 2017 but seldom used the complex's dilapidated velodrome. There are plans to renovate the venue since 2016. The velodrome's specification has fallen behind international standards and it was proposed that a new velodrome be built.[2][3]

In 2022, renovation plans for the sports complex was publicized. It includes the construction of the 3,500-seater Amoranto Arena, and a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool. It also includes the implementation of a tennis area for the Amoranto Indoor Sports Facility.[4][5] In January 2023, the venue was declared fit to host international tournaments.[6] In 2024, Amoranto Arena is used as the primary home venue of the Quezon City Toda Aksyon of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Facilities

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Olympic swimming pool

The Amoranto Sports Complex covers land measuring about 5.8 hectares (14 acres). The main stadium has a capacity of 15,000. The sports facility was named after former Quezon City Mayor Norberto Amoranto.[7]

Several renovations have been done on the Amoranto Sports Complex since its opening. Currently, the sports facility features a tennis court, six badminton courts, a martial arts facility, a swimming pool,[8] as well as a multipurpose gym, and a separate gym dedicated to boxing and weightlifting. The Amoranto Sports Complex also hosts a library for students.[7]

The complex's velodrome[9] hosted the cycling events for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.[10] The only known velodrome in the country has been demolished as of 2024 as the city government plans to replace the area with a different venue, while the opening of a replacement track cycling facility at a different location is still yet to be announced by the Philippine Sports Commission.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Amoranto Stadium". The Quezonian (Special). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Atencio, Peter (August 16, 2021). "POC chief wants new velodrome for athletes". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Atencio, Peter (August 12, 2019). "NSA's plan to build new velodrome gains traction". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Mateo, Janvic (April 22, 2022). "Amoranto Sports Complex undergoes renovation". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  5. ^ Jordan, Angelic (April 21, 2022). "Belmonte: Decades-old Amoranto Sport Complex to undergo makeover". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  6. ^ Moaje, Marita (January 13, 2023). "QC's Amoranto sports complex now ready for int'l events". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Sports and Fitness". Quezon City Official Website. Quezon City Government. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  8. ^ "Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, National Capital Region, PHILIPPINES". Swimmersguide.com. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  9. ^ Navarro, June (October 24, 2019). "P1.5-billion velodrome for Filipino cyclists in the works". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "The 23rd SEA GAMES, Venues and Location". 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Archived from the original on March 18, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  11. ^ Atencio, Peter (July 21, 2023). "Plans to construct new velodrome gain traction". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 18, 2024.