Portugal is known for its warm weather and is now about to make a bold move into winter sports. The Winter Sports Federation of Portugal (FDIP) has announced plans to build the country’s first Olympic sized winter sports pavilion in Seixal which is located in Setúbal district.
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Portugal Winter Sports Pavilion Seixal
This Pavilion will be opened by 2027. FDIP President Pedro Flávio called this pavilion essential for the future of winter sports in Portugal. Portuguese athletes must travel abroad to train in these sports at present. Speed skaters travel to the Netherlands and Germany while ice hockey players go to Madrid. It will be designed for short track speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling.
Figure skaters who live abroad train in their host countries and those based in Portugal also go to Madrid. This lack of training facilities at home has created logistical and financial challenges for both the athletes and the Federation itself. Frequent travel and setting up training camps abroad are costly and time consuming.
Partnership Between FDIP And Seixal Municipal Council
The new pavilion is possible because of a partnership between the FDIP and Seixal’s municipal council. The council provided the land and other benefits which include tax breaks and which made the project financially feasible. FDIP plans to invest around 10 million euros to complete the construction. This investment will help create a world class facility that meets international standards.
This project is a long time dream for Pedro Flávio. He told Lusa news agency:
Portugal will have an infrastructure available so our athletes can train in the best conditions. Results appear from the moment there are conditions to practice a sport at an excellent level. The investment is made with this objective in mind
Flávio believes that once completed the pavilion will attract new players and encourage local clubs to grow. He also hopes it will inspire more young people to take up ice sports.
Opportunities For Portuguese Athletes
The pavilion will allow Portuguese athletes to train under the best conditions without needing to leave the country. FDIP expects this to make a big difference for high level athletes who currently rely on facilities abroad. The Federation sees this pavilion as a way to nurture new talent and help athletes compete on an equal footing with those from countries where winter sports are more popular.
Flávio said:
It will certainly have a significant impact. That’s what we’re aiming for and we’re working towards because from the moment there’s an infrastructure to develop these sports, other clubs that aren’t linked to winter sports will start to appear, there will be more athletes, more academies
FDIP has a long term goal of seeing Portuguese athletes reach international competition levels. In recent years, some Portuguese skaters came close to qualifying for the Winter Olympics and four speed skaters qualified for the Youth Olympics.
Flávio believes that the new facility will further improve the chances of more athletes reaching the top. He said:
Maybe 10 to 15 years is the time we need to have athletes at international level competing for top spots
Economic And Community Impact Of This Project
The pavilion is expected to bring benefits beyond sports. Local businesses in Seixal may see an increase in visitors as more people travel to the area for events and training sessions. The pavilion will also host shops, a medical clinic, and restaurants which will make it a community hub for sports and leisure. These additions are planned to make the pavilion financially sustainable over time.
He added:
I think this pavilion will make the Portuguese look at these sports differently
Flávio also hopes the pavilion will change how the Portuguese public views winter sports. Currently, most people in Portugal think of skiing or snowboarding when they hear the term winter sports.
By establishing a facility for ice skating, hockey, and other winter sports, FDIP hopes to expand this understanding and build a new audience for these sports.
International Competitions
One of FDIP’s main goals for the pavilion is to attract international competitions and teams. Flávio believes that with the right facilities, Portugal can become a popular location for winter sports training camps. Hosting international teams will benefit tourism and give Portuguese athletes more exposure to high level competition without needing to leave the country.
Flávio emphasized:
Although there’s a big investment in building the pavilion, in the long term it will be very good for the federation because we’ll reduce these travelling costs. We’ll be able to organise internships and training sessions in our country
Having international teams train in Portugal could also raise the country’s profile in the winter sports community. International athletes training in Portugal will inspire young people locally and create a growing community around these sports.
He said:
To train at the same level as we do abroad, we needed an infrastructure of this nature
Funding And Long-Term Vision
FDIP has been working with investment funds, private investors, and banks to secure financing for the pavilion. The land transfer agreement with Seixal’s municipal council was recently finalized which is a major step forward for the project. Building a winter sports facility in a warm weather country like Portugal is ambitious but Flávio and his team believe the investment will pay off.
Flávio concluded:
This is a long-term investment, both financially and for the future of sports
FDIP’s vision for this pavilion extends beyond just training facilities. They aim to create a place that inspires athletes, engages the public, and helps Portugal build a future in winter sports.
