The statue representing the surfer constitutes an “important
symbol for the city and for the municipality”, stressed the Mayor
of Ribeira Grande, also stating that the work symbolizes the surfer
and Ribeira Grande as the capital of surfing, in an undertaking which
also made it possible to requalify a degraded area.Conceived by
the artist Rui Goulart, born on the island of Pico and residing in
the parish of Pico da Pedra, the statue, about 4.5 meters high,
intends to “place the monument as the centerpiece of the roundabout
and signal the municipality's prospect of development, taking into
account the potential of sea sports and related activities”.To
Açoriano Oriental, Alexandre Gaudêncio recalled that, since his
executive took office, one of its aims was to “turn the city to the
sea”, which involves several objectives, among them the promotion
of sea sports, in particular surfing, as provided for in the
municipality's Strategic Tourism Plan.Meanwhile, the brand
'Ribeira Grande, capital of Surf' has already been registered and
several related events and infrastructures have been created.The
monument now opened involved an investment of 70 thousand euros,
including the requalification of the roundabout on Avenida José
Nunes da Ponte, the system of water jets sprouting from under the
surfer's board simulating the waves and the renewing of the
surrounding area.“The idea was to create a city brand,
especially for those who visit us; thus the monument is located in a
strategic position, at the city's entrance, in an area that is being
upgraded with several private investments”, stressed Gaudêncio.The
Mayor also revealed that there have been talks for Ribeira Grande to
be part of the world surf circuit."There is the expectation
that the municipality will be part of this list of competitions as
early as next year", he revealed, emphasizing that this type of
world event, which is broadcasted nationally and internationally,
"might bring great visibility to Ribeira Grande outside the
Region".Connection to the WWTP awaits visa from the
Court of AuditorsThe Mayor of Ribeira Grande revealed that the
work of connecting the city's waste water to the WWTP in Santana is
awaiting a visa from the Court of Auditors to be consigned.“This
procedure, worth 2.2 million euros, has already been awarded and now
awaits a visa from the Court of Auditors to proceed with its
consignment”, revealed Gaudêncio, explaining that this project
“will change the wastewater paradigm in the city and solve the
problems in the Praia do Monte Verde area."Alexandre
Gaudêncio was then responding to the criticisms of the Socialist
Party of Ribeira Grande, which, in a note sent to the media, defended
that “the resolution of the sanitary issues of Monte Verde beach,
which affect surfers and bathers in general, are more pressing than
the statue of homage to the surfer”.According to the party,
decent showers and sanitary facilities should also be created in
Praia do Monte Verde, so as to enhance the conditions for regular
sports practice, as well as to reinforce safety conditions, namely by
having lifeguard teams on site.