The Rizal Memorial Coliseum within the
Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was built on the former site of Manila Carnival Grounds in 1934 as a
tennis stadium named "Rizal Memorial Tennis Stadium", but was later renamed “Rizal Memorial Coliseum” at an unknown time. It became a primary venue for the UAAP and the NCAA, before moving to much-larger venues such as the
Araneta Coliseum. In November 2016, then-Manila Mayor
Joseph Estrada announced that the city government is making a partnership with businessman
Enrique Razon to convert the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (which includes a coliseum) into a commercial center which will include a mall and cinemas. The sports museum plan to convert the Rizal Memorial Coliseum is included. The plan was criticized by various heritage and athletes groups. The
National Commission for Culture and the Arts also stated that the Estrada local government never consulted the agency regarding the sports venue conversion plan. Estrada defended the redevelopment of the RMSC, said that no one uses the complex anymore and it became old, and antiquated. Consequentially the Razon group later abandoned its plans to redevelop the site On August 7, 2019, both the PSC and the Manila City government (now under the administration of Mayor
Isko Moreno) agreed to not selling the complex.
2019 renovation The venue was renovated ahead for its use for the
2019 SEA Games. Renovation work began on July 8, 2019, The renovation process includes near
restoration of the building to its state in the 1930s installing new facilities including the coliseum's first ever air conditioning system while keeping the original look of the building designed by
Juan Arellano. ==Architecture and design==