The recent discussion about building an athletics track at the Garrison Regiment No. 3 (RG3) facilities has brought the longevity of this claim to the forefront. A reader of Diário de Notícias da Madeira claims to have heard of this possibility as early as 1988, which, if confirmed, would extend the promise's history to 38 years.
However, initial investigation raises doubts about the 1988 date. The RG3, in its current designation, was only created in 1993. Although the military facilities already existed, there are no documented records confirming a formalized promise at that time. The first secure documentary trace dates back to October 21, 2014, when the Athletics Association of the Autonomous Region of Madeira launched a public petition for the cession of land at RG3.
The need for a new track became pressing after the demolition of the infrastructure at the Barreiros Stadium, an event cited in 2010 that led to the loss of a crucial space for regional athletics. The RG3 solution gained public prominence from 2014 onwards, with presentations and project sketches, aiming to return a long-demanded sports facility to Funchal.
