The Alhadas Municipal Pool marked its 25th anniversary on the morning of Saturday, October 3rd. The ceremony was attended by local officials, staff, users, and community members to celebrate a quarter-century of service to the population.
Inaugurated on September 28, 2001, the pool currently serves over 600 users of various age groups, functioning as a local facility dedicated to sports, health promotion, well-being, and social interaction.
António Cabete, the oldest and most regular user, led the ceremony, emphasizing the human dimension of the facility. "It's 25 years of people," he stated, highlighting that the pool is "much more than a space dedicated to sports," being "a place for meeting, learning, health, well-being, and socialising."
The ceremony served to mark the pool's journey and renew its commitment to the community in promoting physical activity, health, social interaction, inclusion, and improved quality of life. The president of the Alhadas Parish Council, António Lopes da Silva, reinforced the facility's importance as "a meeting point, a promoter of health, a place where people experience moments they will cherish."
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Mayor of Figueira da Foz, Pedro Santana Lopes, and the president of the Alhadas Parish Council, António Lopes da Silva. The plaque symbolizes the journey and honors all those who have contributed to the pool's history.
Pedro Santana Lopes emphasized the facility's uniqueness, built outside the urban center, and the importance of investing throughout the municipality to foster development and population retention in the parishes. "The only way for territories to develop, to retain people, to not be deserted, to not burn out, to not degrade, is to build throughout the municipality," he declared.
The mayor assured that the current municipal executive will continue to invest outside the municipal seat, despite the challenges. He expressed pride in the decision made over 25 years ago and thanked everyone who contributed to the pool's realization, considering the role of a mayor "the most beautiful public office in life".
The ceremony also paid tribute to Inês Domingues and Luís Silva, the two longest-serving employees of the Alhadas Municipal Pool, expressing "deep gratitude and recognition for so many years of work and dedication."
The celebration included musical entertainment by the Brass Group of the Sociedade Boa União Alhadense. Upon reaching 25 years, the Alhadas Municipal Pool reaffirms its role as a local facility, promoting sports, health, well-being, social interaction, and inclusion, with the hope of continuing to be "a space where one learns, practices sports, makes friends, and creates memories."
