Exclusive Interview - SkatePark Ferreira do Alentejo

Exclusive of Site Nacional de Skate

INTRODUCTION

The Skater community of Ferreira do Alentejo recently conveyed great concern to us regarding the intervention of a so-called specialized company in the local skatepark.

We collected statements from the local Skater community, as well as trying to get in touch with the Municipal Council of Ferreira do Alentejo, but there was no/they refused to give any type of statement.

THANKS:

To all the skaters who alerted us to the urgency of the situation, and who collaborated with us.

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Testimony from the Skater Community of Ferreira do Alentejo

Site Nacional de Skate: What is your Association called?
Ferreira Activa: Ferreira Activa – Movimento Associativo Ferreira Activa.

Site Nacional de Skate: How long have you been skateboarding?
Ferreira Activa: Currently living in Ferreira, we have staff working since 2006, 2017, 2020…

Site Nacional de Skate: What area in Portugal areyou guys from?
Ferreira Activa: Even from Ferreira do Alentejo.

Site Nacional de Skate: How is the outlook for the Ferreira do Alentejo Skater Community?
Ferreira Activa: At this moment it is possible to see new skaters starting out, during the school year there is a greater influx of boys and some girls bringing their skateboards from the nearest villages, there is also a group of skaters from the city of Beja (24km away) who visit us at the weekend, we consider this movement in the park to be positive!

Site Nacional de Skate: Tell us a little about the History of the Ferreira do Alentejo Skate Park.
Ferreira Activa: Initially in Ferreira do Alentejo there was only one line of ramps in the Bairro 5 de Março (two almost flat rails next to each other, a mini quarter and a small incline) all on a slightly irregular parallel floor, a little later a half-pipe with a spine was built in the Public Garden, due to the influx of skateboarders and BMX riders in the municipality, the Ferreira do Alentejo park was “born” and was opened within the sports park a June 10, 2004, was a fundamental work and influenced by the old school group “AMIS” by F.A, a united and well-disposed group. The construction of the park generated a large influx of skaters and practitioners of other sports visiting Ferreira do Alentejo, providing events at regional and national level. It was once considered one of the best parks in the area and nationally.

Site Nacional de Skate: Who do you contact, and what type of response do you have when there are situations in your Skatepark that require intervention?
Ferreira Activa: We get together and usually talk about various sports and places where we practice the modalities, the Movimento Associativo Ferreira Activa is essential to convey our needs to CMFA.

Site Nacional de Skate: Are there currently any situations in your Skate Park that require attention?
Ferreira Activa: At this moment, the Skate park was the target of the biggest intervention since 2016. This intervention was a public investment with a significant value for the requalification of part of the Skate park floor, however it did not have a positive result. A specialized company aimed to increase the concrete floor by 10cm without altering the park’s other obstacles. At this moment the park is disproportionate, the ramps have become very aggressive, the original characteristics of the park have been modified, putting into question the “flow” that the park has always provided in its original lines.

Site Nacional de Skate: Site Nacional de Skate and/or other skater communities, etc., have they helped you in the past in any way in publicizing your problems? (If yes, which ones and how?)
Ferreira Activa: The Ferreira Activa organization has always supported the needs of extreme sports in Ferreira do Alentejo, we would also like to thank you (National Skate Website) for this interview and sharing opportunity 🙂

Site Nacional de Skate: Do you think it is important that the Site Nacional de Skate be a reference site where all “anonymous” skaters can make their voices heard? Why?
Ferreira Activa: Yes! There is a means of information where skaters or groups can expose their local situation is fantastic, sharing is important!

Site Nacional de Skate: Do you want to leave us any suggestions or challenges?
Ferreira Activa: Stay active with this attitude!!

Site Nacional de Skate: Thank you very much for your time.
Ferreira Activa: Once again we thank you for the opportunity!