Rejuvenation of Wright Park reflection pool starts Monday, Jan. 9

The city government will begin the rejuvenation of one of the Summer Capital’s iconic tourism attractions—the Reflection Pool at Upper Wright Park—on Monday, Jan. 9, costing P19-million, according to a local parks official.      

Architect II Hanee Kevin disclosed that civil works on the pool that is around 100 meters long, five meters wide and five feet deep, is targeted to be completed in six months time or around June this year.      

This will include the construction of several structures that would house its electrical, mechanical and plumbing facilities including other features.      

Kevin revealed that the project’s cost will be shouldered by Bloomberry, a Manila-based company, as a donation to the local government while two private contractors chosen by the city will do the rejuvenation.      

He said CEPMO under lawyer Rhenan Diwas and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) led by Archt. Donna Rillera Tabangin will serve as the project’s consultants to ensure that quality work is done and is finished on time.      

Draining of the pool is ongoing with the fish located therein to be transferred to the Botanical Garden, Kevin said, with some of the fish already transferred last year to Burnham lake as part of its fishing activity.      

The reflection pool’s facelift aims to encourage more tourists and residents to visit the site and hopefully ‘declog’ the usual deluge of visitors at Burnham Park, the city’s main promenade and recreation area.      

He assured that when finished, the rehabilitated Reflection Pool area, located just a stone’s throw away from The Mansion, will be free for the public to enjoy.      

For the past years, the site has been a favorite jogging area for both tourists and residents alike, including as a background where they take ‘selfies’ and ‘groupies’ using their mobile phones.     

The rejuvenation is just one of the city’s ‘catalytic projects’ to be implemented this year as earlier announced by Mayor Benjamin Magalong to advance the city’s socio-economic development and environmental renaissance. – Gaby B. Keith