A casino for the people of the neighbourhood

In the early 20th century, a group of journalists and residents of the neighbourhood created a residents association aimed at discussing the urbanisation of the Font d’en Fargues neighbourhood and stimulating its social and recreational activities. They set up its Centre in the Casino, built in 1928 under the supervision of the Noucentista architect Adolf Florensa on land ceded to the association by its owners, Mateu Rovira and Concepció Ribó. The residents association operated as a recreational and cultural cooperative: it was a facility open to the neighbourhood.

From casino to parish social centre

The building consisted of a café and a theatre, but its services grew over the years thanks to the contributions of the members and residents themselves. During the post-war period, the Casino survived a great deal of problems, but was finally sold. Some years later is was bought by the parish, which founded the San Antonio de Padua Family Centre there. It currently belongs to the City Council and is managed by the Associació Casal Font d’en Fargues, expressly created to maintain the spirit with which it was opened that of promoting recreational, social, artistic and educational activities.