«A virtuous work for Almancil, Loulé, Algarve and for the country. A virtuous work because it is a meeting point, first of all for very different people and of all ages, but also a meeting point between sport and culture – two areas traditionally undervalued by society in general and, in particular, by political power, which did not happen here».
This is how Pedro Duarte, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, described the 25 de Abril Multipurpose Pavilion, inaugurated in Almancil this Sunday, 6 October.
The grandeur of the work leaves no one indifferent and it is there, very close to the parish schools and the Jardim das Comunidades, that from now on citizens will be able to practice a wide variety of sports and also enjoy the new Casimiro de Brito Library.
“It is very virtuous to bring culture to people who enjoy playing sports and to bring sports to people who enjoy access to culture. We need to have more physical activity, more physical and mental health. These spaces provide and encourage this, so that we can have a good time and at the same time contribute to our individual well-being and that of society,” continued the minister.
In the words of Vítor Aleixo, Mayor of Loulé, the municipality to which Almancil belongs, “this is a day of great celebration, not only because of the complex that was inaugurated, but also because we are here two days after the Assembly of the Republic unanimously approved the elevation of Almancil to the condition of city».
After visiting the project, which cost around 16,4 million euros and had been planned since 2015, Vitor Aleixo highlighted that this was a “very significant investment, but one that solves a series of needs and problems that people had in the parish of Almancil”.
The mayor believes that “it is incomprehensible that Almancil, being one of the parishes in the municipality of Loulé that contributes the most to the municipal public treasury, does not have a modern and well-sized space for practicing sports”.
“Today, we have gained a new centrality here, in terms of sport, and a new visibility that will attract and host international competitions, grand shows and many new athletes, but also tourists, writers and musicians”, continued the mayor.
So that “the youth of Almancil could also read and interact with other resources for accessing knowledge”, a branch of the Loulé Municipal Library was also planned for this location.
José Apolinário, president of CCDR Algarve, also highlighted that «this is an investment that embodies the strategy of the Municipality of Loulé» and stated that he is certain that «Loulé is one of the Municipalities in the country and the region that invests the most in sport throughout its programme, both in terms of support for its operation and in terms of investment and this investment is an example of this».
Officially open to the public, the 25 de Abril Multipurpose Pavilion will, until October 13, host activities in school sports, gymnastics, dance, table tennis, handball, futsal, volleyball, basketball, padel, and, on the other hand, a poetry recital, screening of children's films and fun activities for babies and children.
After this date, the Pavilion then begins regular activities.
The Pavilion has capacity for 1160 spectators for sporting events and 392 users in the sports area, which is made up of a main hall, a complementary hall, fitness rooms, a weight training and cardio gym, a paddle tennis court, medical and physiotherapy offices, changing rooms and a spa. In addition, there is also a children's area, an exhibition area and a black box for concerts and film screenings.
The Library hub will have autonomous management and operation.
With his eyes on the future, during the ceremony, Vitor Aleixo also took the opportunity to reveal that the Municipality is “proposing a new location, with appreciable dimensions, in the north east of the city of Loulé, for the creation of a Sports Campus”.
Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação
Comments