Padel Park being built on Manoel Island 'national park' site - Momentum
Political party asks if the government has endorsed the works
Updated 6pm
The Momentum political party asked on Monday how a commercial Padel Park is being built on Manoel Island if the island is to be handed to the government to be transformed into a national park.
"Now that the government intends to take over the project and transform the island into a national park, it is reasonable to expect that this area would form part of the open green space promised to the public. Instead, the site appears to be rapidly transformed into a new commercial sports facility,” party executive member Matthew Agius said in a statement.
The prime minister on Sunday said talks with the MIDI consortium for the transfer of the island are expected to be concluded in a matter of weeks.
Momentum asked who authorised the construction of these padel courts and whether the government was endorsing the commercialisation of land that it was simultaneously promising would become a national park.
"How does the construction of new sports facilities fit into the vision of Manoel Island as a public green lung for the densely populated harbour area?" it asked.
Gżira FC confirms works ongoing but denies wrongdoing
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for Gżira FC confirmed the club was "undertaking developments" at Nicholl Ground on Manoel Island.
The project, they insisted, related specifically to sports facilities within a defined area of government land leased to the club, and should be understood separately from broader proposals concerning other parts of Manoel Island.
"These facilities are being developed to enhance the club's sporting offerings, encourage greater community participation in sports, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the club," the club said.
The club said it remained committed to operating transparently, complying with all applicable requirements, cooperating fully with the competent authorities, and managing the site responsibly for the benefit of the club and the wider sporting community.