Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri and Minister for Education and Sport Clifton Grima announced that the Ħal Far Model Flying Association will be relocated. The site, currently being used by the association, will pave the way for the €20 million motor racetrack – another electoral promise that is being implemented.
This follows the agreement signed between Indis Malta Ltd, SportMalta, Lands Authority, and the Ħal Far Model Flying Association (HFMFA), whereby the HFMFA will relocate from its current location at Ħal Far Industrial Estate to a site on the outskirts of the same estate. On this site, the development which is to be carried out includes minimum interventions in accordance with permits issued by the Planning Authority with full respect for the classification of part of the site as Natura 2000.
Minister Schembri said that the move will also solve another issue at stake, whereby it was becoming hard for flying model aircraft enthusiasts to practice their sport due to other sport practices in the vicinity.
“The relocation stems from the fact that the existing HFMFA site is in the vicinity of several other sites which are being developed for industry, and would be suitable for similar industrial purposes, apart from the race-track itself”, explained Minister Schembri.
Minister Grima spoke about the collective work in progress in the sport sector, including infrastructural investment and direct investment in athletes and in those who practice all kinds of sports, but also by various means of support to sport clubs and associations.
“We are also giving priority to sport clubs and associations to see that they have a better environment and which is appropriate for the practice of their favourite sport”, said the Minister Grima.
INDIS Malta will provide the necessary technical support throughout the lifecycle of the relocation project and has also currently initiated a series of processes to ensure that the alternative site is free and unencumbered. INDIS will provide the maximum sum of €350,000 over a period of one year to cover the costs of the relocation.
The President of the Ħal Far Model Flying Association, Pierre Bonello, said that the formalisation of an agreement between HFMFA and INDIS Malta Ltd will enable the relocation of the club premises and activities to an alternative location within the Ħal Far zone.
“This process was made possible and facilitated through the collaboration of a number of entities. Both the sport organisation and industry will benefit from this relocation. Due to recent developments around the current site, the premises were no longer ideal and adequate to carry out the club’s activities as required by the members and the size of some of their aircraft, thus impacting the association’s growth and attractiveness for our 120 members,” Mr Bonello said.
“As a result of the new premises and facilities, the sport organisation will now be able to carry out its activities and possibly even play host to international events tied to this activity”, he concluded.
Luciano Busuttil, SportMalta’s Chairman, spoke about the collaboration between all those involved, ministries and entities, who together with the Association reached this agreement by which the Association can continue to practice its sport.
