Padel is becoming an increasingly popular sport
São Brás de Alportel has announced the construction of a covered padel court at the José Belchior Viegas secondary school as the top voted project in the 2024 edition of its “Orçamento Participativo” (People’s Budget, or OP).
Says the municipal council, the new court will be used mostly for school sports, allowing “greater access to this growing sport” and increasing the number of sports infrastructures in the borough.
The winning proposal received 53% of votes, ahead of the construction of an amphitheatre at Campo Sousa Uva (21%); the installation of CCTV cameras at public parks and gardens (14%); and the rehabilitation and expansion of the snack-bar at the Gonçalo Assunção sports pavilion (12%).
“Involving the community in the life and future of the municipality of São Brás de Alportel” is described as the goal of the People’s Budget, which this year had a €70,000 budget. The goal of the initiative is to allow local citizens to pitch and vote for the projects they would like to see come to life.
Other projects which the OP has helped see through include the construction of the local dog park, skate park and public basketball court, as well as the creation of the Roberto Norte and Amendoeiras parks, the Jardim Carrera Viegas sports area, the República square and the rehabilitation of the town’s east entrance. The initiative also led to the expansion of the accessible side pavement networking around the Liberdade roundabout and the installation of 21 interactive panels at local schools.
