The derelict Guarda Fiscal building in Cabanas now is the centre for protest and activity as locals are fed up with hosting an abandoned state owned building in their midst.
The Tavira Left Bloc wants to turn the old Guarda Fiscal post, in Beco Vasco da Gama, into a community centre, an exhibition centre, a tourist information centre, in fact anything other than leaving the building to deteriorate further.
Left Bloc supporters today held a meeting outside the building and rigged up banners to highlight the complete waste of an opportunity as the building could be turned into something productive.
Tiago Manjua, one of the activists, commented today to Jornal do Algarve, "this is a symbolic action to bring to the attention of the Cabanas residents, visitors and the council the state of abandonment and degradation of the building. This property has been abandoned for about 10 years and has not really been used for over 20 years. This situation is not acceptable as the building is owned by the Portuguese state, it is our heritage, and Cabanas citizens cannot continue to stand by without taking the initiative."
Activist Livia Viana added, "We think the building should be restored and converted for the enjoyment of the community of Cabanas. It could be a museum space to preserve local history and hold local cultural events. The building needs to be claimed so that we can make a plan for its use."
Local Left Bloc's councillor, Artur Sanina, said he will raise the topic with Tavira mayor Jorge Botelho,
"We think that the building is owned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but without being certain of the owner we cannot start a dialogue to find solutions, either for its rehabilitation, or for other uses to which it may be put."
Cabanas de Tavira in the Ria Formosa natural area turned from a fishing village into one whose income is dominated by tourism.
From the late 1700s records show the economy largely was dependent on tuna fishing but now it is tourism that brings in the money and leaving state-owned buildings to crumble is not a good image for Cabanas or for Portugal.
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Tuna fishing in former years: the village of Stª Luzia was the host of the Barril armação sometimes called Três Irmãos; futher west was Livramento armação.
Off Tavira island there was Medo das Cascas, which was eventually run from the Arraial Ferreira Neto, now a hotel.
Further east was another armação called Abóbora somewhere to the east of Cabanas.
P. Booker
