Covered by eucalyptus trees, slightly buried, without access and without public for more than 20 years, the “ruins” of the old pools of the Football Club Esportivo Esperança returned to the “surface” by the works of a condominium that will be built in the land. “One last visit before they disappear forever”, were the words used by historian Paulo Daniel Spolier, when he published a photo on the social network of the place that for years received families and Esperança fans.
Photo: Disclosure/PMNH
The published photo brought nostalgia to those who lived happy moments there. “I collected the monthly fees from the associates, I stayed in that position for 10 years, from 1984 to 1997. In 1986, we had about 5,000 associates and many of them became my friends. To this day, I remember some names and their addresses, because once a month I would visit them to collect”, recalls the councilor of Novo Hamburgo Ricardo Ritter, Ica.
Still according to Ica, many marriages took place during the swimming pool season. “On weekends, it filled up with people and the teenagers took the opportunity to date. I know that many got married after meeting there. We have good memories”, highlights Ica.
The place was not only the stage for bathing in swimming pools, but also for many sports. “The biggest sporting events in town were held at the club, like ‘Hollywood of motocross’ and football games,” he recalls.
The Esperança club was responsible for creating many affective memories, which children from the 1970s, 980s and 1990s still remember today. “In the early 1980s, I remember that my cousins had a birthday party there, it was a large hall, with a wooden floor and it was a lot of fun”, says dance teacher Denise Pacheco, 49 years old.
Another memory Denise remembers to this day was a motocross show. “I went to see a race and there were some ramps, there were a lot of people, it was at night and there was a lot of lighting. I even remember the noise of the motorcycles.
Photo: Carla Fogaça/GES-ESPECIAL
history of thousands
Clube Esperança was founded in 1914 and at the time was located in the Hamburgo Velho neighborhood, in Novo Hamburgo, and Esperança’s main rival has always been Esporte Clube Novo Hamburgo, at the time known as Esporte Clube Floriano.
Researcher Daniel Rönnau, as a hobby, is developing research on the history of football in Novo Hamburgo, titles, foundation dates and competitions. “When they sold the 10 de Maio stadium, they bought land in Rondônia and the name of the club was changed to Sociedade Esportiva Esperança”, he says.
Also according to Rönnau, the club had to dispose of its assets due to labor lawsuits, but before that, even in the 90s, it had more than 8,000 members. “It had a shooting range, bicicross, swimming pool, nightclub, motocross track, CTG and soccer field”, adds the researcher.
In football, the club’s high point with the professional team was in 1945, which according to Rönnau’s studies, Esperança was in 3rd place in the Campeonato Gaúcho, the year that Internacional was champion defeating EC Pelotas. “And in 1964, in the year of the club’s 50th anniversary, when it defeated EC Floriano (currently Nova Hamburgo) in the decision of the Municipal Championship”, says Rönnau.
Currently, the area, where Esperança was located, belongs to a construction company and the work aims to leave the site ready for land to be sold in a future condominium.
