PRESS RELEASE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR PUBLIC WORKS Safi Parish Centre reopens following completion of regeneration project

In recent months, the Public Works Department began carrying out works to regenerate the Parish Centre of Ħal Safi so that, after being abandoned for several years, it can once again reopen for the community.

This Centre has always served as a meeting place for the community of Ħal Safi, and for a long time there had been a desire for the necessary regeneration works to be carried out so that it could become a dignified gathering place for the village. In recent years, the site had been used by the local girls' MUSEUM group. The children of Ħal Safi now have a dignified and safe place where they can play, meet, and spend their time.

As an integral part of the design of this regeneration project, it was very important that careful consideration be given to respecting the historical and architectural character with which this building is endowed.

Thanks to this extensive restoration project, new life is now being given to this special site, which is being returned to the community of Ħal Safi in a much better state, with improved accessibility and functionality. This project involved a series of extensive embellishment, refurbishment, and restoration works with an investment of around a quarter of a million euros.

The main courtyard was restored with new tiling so that it can once again be used as it was in the past, meaning that activities for children and youths from the locality and surrounding areas can resume using this open space, and plays, which were once very popular in this building, can once again be staged.

In addition, plastering works, rendering, a new concrete roof, as well as new apertures and doors were carried out. New architectural lighting with antique-style lanterns was also installed in order to respect the aesthetics of the place.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia expressed his satisfaction for his project and commended the workers of the Public Works Department. “How proud I am of Ħal Safi, this historic place in the centre of the village has now been regenerated, where it will surely create new memories for future generations."

The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that this place can now begin to be enjoyed by the residents of Ħal Safi and all those who come to visit this beautiful village, in this modern and spacious space, for the benefit of the community.

The Mayor of Ħal Safi, Johan Mula, said that this dream of the residents of Ħal Safi has now become a reality. Mula thanked Parliamentary Secretariat and the Department for Public Works for the intensive work they carried out.

The Parish Priest of Ħal Safi, Canon Ivan Scicluna, said that he is very pleased that this project has been completed, allowing the centre to once again be used for its original purpose: continuing to promote good values among youths, education for children and adolescents, and activities also for adults and the elderly. The parish priest concluded by thanking the Public Works Department as well as the Parliamentary Secretariat.

This work continues to build upon the projects that this Department has carried out in various Church buildings around Malta.