In a move to promote both athletic excellence and community wellness, the Province of Antique has officially opened its newly upgraded rubberized oval track at the Binirayan Sports Complex to the public —for free.

Governor Rhodora Cadiao, who led the inauguration on Monday, said the PHP29-million Olympic-sized facility will be accessible to both athletes and senior citizens.

“Our athletes now have a world-class space to train in, and our senior citizens can use it for daily exercise. Access is completely free,” she said in a media interview.

The track, originally used in the 2016 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) and the Palarong Pambansa, had fallen into disrepair.

Its refurbishment was intended to support Antique’s hosting of the WVRAA 2025 from March 1 to 8.

While delays in the delivery of imported rubber from Taiwan caused setbacks —allowing only partial completion before the event— the Department of Education approved its use during the competition.

Provincial engineer Inocencio Dajao Jr., who supervised the project, confirmed that work resumed immediately after the WVRAA and was recently completed.

With its inauguration, the provincial government hopes the facility will serve as a hub for both competitive training and community health initiatives. (PNA)