The Generalitat Allocates Land to Expand Sant Joan Sports Centre

The Valencian Government has "freely" allocated a plot of over 12,800 square metres to the Sant Joan d'Alacant Town Council to expand its municipal sports centre. The head of the Consell, Carlos Mazón, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the town's mayor, Santiago Román, in which the Valencian government commits to an initial ten-year land allocation, extendable to 20 years.

During his speech, Mazón noted that "Sant Joan is experiencing a period of great sporting intensity with clubs that are thriving and attracting new athletes, making it essential to provide suitable facilities for all users." He explained that "this is one of the reasons for the need for this sports centre to grow to meet increasing sports demand."

Carlos Mazón emphasised that "any modern and advanced society understands that sport is no longer just a pastime but is beneficial for health, particularly mental health." He stated that "a community that engages in physical exercise reduces pharmaceutical expenses, hospitalisations, and can extend its average lifespan."

In this regard, he recalled that the Valencian Community "is the first region to introduce tax deductions for sports practice for middle and low incomes, as such a beneficial activity should be as widespread as possible."

"These deductions, along with those for dental expenses, purchase of glasses or contact lenses, mental health care, and chronic or rare diseases, benefited over 424,000 people across our territory in the last tax campaign, and we are maintaining them this year," Mazón concluded.

Similarly, the head of the Consell highlighted that "for the first time in the Consell's budget, there is a study to begin the project and execution of the underpass for the Gibeller roundabout, which is the pedestrian access from Sant Joan d'Alacant to the University Hospital, to ensure the safety of residents and proper traffic flow."

In this context, he reaffirmed the regional government's "commitment" to this town and cited as an example that the Generalitat has taken over the administration of the Doctor Esquerdo Centre this year "after the Alicante Provincial Council managed it for more than four decades."