A LAWMAKER here filed a resolution before the Sangguniang Panlungsod recognizing the newly completed “Kingdome”, the massive worship and events venue built by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) as a “potential driver” of tourism and economic activity for the city.
Proponent Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang congratulated KOJC and its founder and executive pastor, Apollo C. Quiboloy, for the structure’s development and completion.
The 75,000-seater Kingdome officially opened on Sept. 1 in time for the 41st feast of the Passover of the church since Sept. 1, 1985.
“By reason of its distinctive architecture, immense scale, engineering achievement, visual prominence, and potential contribution to tourism, economic activity, cultural life, and major gatherings, the Kingdome has become a recognizable feature of Davao City,” the resolution reads.
Dayanghirang said the structure deserves recognition as a “distinctive architectural landmark and emerging icon” of the City.
He stressed it reflects Davao’s capacity to host “ambitious developments while respecting the diversity of institutions, beliefs, and communities that form part of its social fabric.”
The resolution noted that the Kingdome’s scale and facilities could position it as a venue for large-scale religious gatherings, conferences, conventions, cultural presentations, sporting events, concerts, and exhibitions.
KOJC claimed that the 75,000-seater indoor arena, which sits on a 23-hectare site near the Davao International Airport, is touted to be the largest in the world.
In a video posted on the Kingdome Facebook page, it said the arena has a floor area of 58,400 sqm or 5.84 hectares, enough to fit 117 professional basketball courts.
The center arena, on the other hand, covers 6,616 square meters.
Engr. Beaunoni Mijares, structural engineer of ACQ Solomonic Builders Inc., said the height restriction was one of the challenges in the construction.
“To achieve an average elevation of 64 meters above mean sea level, we excavated almost 9 meters into the ground,” Mijares said.
The excavation, it said, took 547 days “with just one dump truck” due to limited equipment and budget.
The “sub-surface excavation technique” mirrors the same solution used in the sunken design of the Staples Center, now called Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Citing the venue’s potential to draw visitors, delegates and participants, the resolution states that such gatherings could generate business for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, retailers, tourism enterprises and other local service providers.
It further described the Kingdome as strengthening Davao City’s potential as a destination for major gatherings, meetings-incentives-conventions-exhibitions (MICE) activities, religious tourism, among others.
Beyond its contribution to tourism, the Kingdome’s completion is described as a contribution to the architectural, cultural, tourism, and economic landscape of Davao City.
Photo: Kingdome
