A visit to the facility, where the intervention is underway, was attended by the Mayor of Vila Verde, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes, accompanied by the Vice-Mayor, Manuel Lopes, the President of the Parish Council of Vila Verde and Barbudo, José Luís Faria, the Director of the Vila Verde School Group, Alberto Rodrigues, as well as municipal technicians and representatives of the company responsible for the construction work.
The Mayor of Vila Verde, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes, highlighted the intervention as another strategic investment in enhancing the municipal school infrastructure and improving conditions for children, teachers, and other professionals. "Investing in our schools is investing directly in our children, families, and the future of the municipality. We want to ensure increasingly comfortable, efficient, and sustainable educational spaces, providing the best conditions for teaching and learning. This intervention at the Vila Verde School Center also represents our commitment to responsible resource management and the transition to more energy-efficient solutions," she stated.
Following an energy audit of the building, several priority measures were defined, including the installation of a Centralized Technical Management (GTC) system, the placement of photovoltaic panels, reinforcement of thermal insulation in roofs and facades, and the replacement of existing lighting with more efficient LED technology with lower energy consumption. The project also includes minor interior interventions, such as the renovation of flooring and coverings in damaged areas of the ground floor.
For the Mayor, improving school infrastructure is an essential component of the municipal strategy for valuing education. "We are modernizing educational facilities and creating conditions for our schools to keep pace with new environmental and energy challenges. At the same time, we are extending the lifespan of the buildings and improving the comfort and quality of the spaces used daily by the educational community," she added.
The main objective is to promote the requalification and energy efficiency of the Vila Verde School Center, reducing energy consumption and encouraging the use of more environmentally sustainable solutions. The intervention will also improve thermal comfort, health, and functionality conditions, extending the lifespan of this important infrastructure for the 1st Cycle of Basic Education. The building already complies with applicable legal and regulatory standards regarding accessibility, fire safety, thermal and acoustic comfort, and sanitary conditions.
The total investment amounts to 951,993.36 euros, with co-financing from the European Union amounting to 221,000.00 euros, under operation NORTE2030-FEDER-03070900. With this intervention, the Municipality of Vila Verde continues its commitment to qualifying and modernizing the school infrastructure, promoting better teaching and learning conditions, and simultaneously contributing to environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and territorial development.
