Il Vicesindaco Padula: "Il 2025 sarà un anno splendido per Policoro, volano per il Metapontino"

Summary

In this insightful interview, the Deputy Mayor of Policoro discusses key local issues, including public safety, the city's Christmas preparations, and the growth of sports tourism. He highlights recent security efforts, such as collaboration with local police and the implementation of neighborhood watch programs. The city is also gearing up for festive events and preparing for 2025 with a focus on improving tourism infrastructure, including opening tourist information points and enhancing services. Plans to revitalize the city's sports venues and expand its role in regional tourism are also shared, offering a glimpse into Policoro's future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Vice Mayor of Policoro, Mr. Padula, discussed local security issues and initiatives aimed at improving safety, including a collaboration with the prefecture and the introduction of a neighborhood agreement protocol.
• 😀 In response to public concerns over security, Policoro is focusing on community involvement through organized citizen patrols for reporting purposes only, and not intervention.
• 😀 The city of Policoro is preparing for the upcoming Christmas season with festive events, including the annual Christmas tree lighting on December 8th and various activities like markets, sports events, and local performances.
• 😀 Policoro is actively working on establishing itself as a center for sports tourism, leveraging its sports facilities like PalaErcole and PalaOlympia to attract national and international events.
• 😀 Recently, Policoro hosted a large judo event with 1,500 athletes, showing the city's potential to host significant sporting events, which contributes to local tourism.
• 😀 Plans for enhancing Policoro’s sports infrastructure include improvements to the local football field, including the installation of synthetic grass, which is expected to be completed by the next sports season.
• 😀 The city is also planning infrastructure improvements, including the hiring of new staff to address public services like city maintenance and social assistance, with job opportunities such as the hiring of specialized workers and social assistants.
• 😀 The Municipality of Policoro is focused on developing its tourism sector for 2025, with an emphasis on improving services such as opening information points and creating stronger connections between the coastal and inland areas to attract more tourists.
• 😀 Policoro aims to improve its tourism offerings by collaborating with neighboring regions and the government to create a seamless regional tourism experience, promoting both coastal and inland attractions.
• 😀 The city is working towards opening its archaeological park in the spring of 2025, with ongoing efforts to improve the site’s infrastructure and manage its operation effectively for future visitors.
• 😀 The terminal at Policoro is undergoing improvements, and there are plans to provide tourist services at the terminal itself to enhance the visitor experience, contributing to the city's broader tourism goals.

Q & A

What measures are being taken by the municipality of Policoro to ensure the safety of its residents?

The municipality of Policoro is collaborating with the Prefect and other local authorities to address safety concerns. They are implementing neighborhood agreements and have increased police patrols and community participation to tackle security issues, while regulating citizen patrols to avoid interference with law enforcement.

What is the role of neighborhood agreements in improving safety in Policoro?

Neighborhood agreements are tools that regulate local citizen participation in safety efforts. These agreements allow groups of citizens to monitor and report suspicious activities without intervening directly. This approach encourages active community involvement in maintaining safety, while ensuring that only law enforcement handles interventions.

How is Policoro preparing for the Christmas season?

Policoro is preparing for Christmas by installing decorations around the city and organizing various holiday events such as the tree lighting ceremony, Christmas markets, and charity events. The city also hosts sporting events and activities by local associations, contributing to the festive atmosphere.

What efforts are being made to boost sports tourism in Policoro?

Policoro has been investing in sports facilities like the Palaercole and Palaolimpia arenas to attract national and international sports events. These venues have hosted significant competitions, such as a national football tournament and European judo championships, helping to establish the city as a key location for sports tourism.

How is Policoro enhancing its tourism infrastructure for the upcoming years?

Policoro is focusing on improving its tourism infrastructure by opening tourist information points and increasing services for visitors. This includes integrating local areas like the Metapontino and nearby rural regions to offer a broader range of attractions and activities, making the city more accessible and attractive to tourists.

What is the municipality's plan for the archaeological park in Policoro?

The municipality is working with the Ministry of Culture to open the archaeological park in the spring of 2025. The park will feature new installations, including a reconstruction of a temple, and will provide a rich cultural experience for visitors, especially with the special attention to green spaces.

What improvements are being made to the sports facilities in Policoro?

Policoro is upgrading its sports facilities, including the Palaercole, with new synthetic turf for the upcoming football season. Additionally, there are plans to make these venues more attractive for national and international events, turning them into multifunctional spaces for sports, conferences, and other activities.

What challenges does Policoro face in implementing new projects like the sports facilities and tourism services?

One of the challenges Policoro faces is navigating the bureaucracy and delays in receiving funding and approvals, such as for the renovation of sports facilities and the development of tourist services. However, the municipality is working diligently to secure resources and move forward with projects in a timely manner.

What role does the local community play in Policoro’s development projects?

The local community plays a crucial role in Policoro's development through active participation in events, the implementation of safety measures, and supporting tourism initiatives. The municipality values citizen involvement, particularly in safety programs like neighborhood agreements, and in contributing to the city's vibrant cultural and sporting life.

How does Policoro plan to expand its tourism offerings in the future?

Policoro aims to expand its tourism offerings by improving services, increasing connectivity with nearby rural areas, and leveraging cultural and natural attractions like the archaeological park. The city also plans to enhance its visibility by hosting major events, including potential concerts and international sporting competitions.