White smoke has erupted in the preliminary investigation process leading to final approval of the project for Cagliari's new stadium.
The Regional Council, on the proposal of the Councillor for Environmental Protection Rosanna Laconi , has in fact expressed a positive opinion of environmental compatibility.
The new stadium in the capital, Villa Devoto emphasizes, "is one of the most anticipated and publicly significant projects for the city and for the whole of Sardinia: a work that marks the rebirth of the area where the ruins of the old Sant'Elia still stand, laying the foundations for the construction of a modern, sustainable, and multifunctional sports facility , capable of projecting Sardinia among the leading regions of the 2032 European Football Championships."
"With the completion of the authorization process," Councilor Laconi emphasized, "a decisive step has been taken in the regeneration of a strategic urban area, a meeting point and connection between the Sant'Elia and San Bartolomeo neighborhoods . This result comes after years of anticipation and will finally allow the city of Cagliari to equip itself with a modern, sustainable infrastructure that is fully integrated into its urban and environmental context. This project combines sport, architecture, and a vision for the future, restoring to the city a symbolic space capable of generating new social and cultural vitality."
The new stadium – designed to accommodate a base capacity of around 25,000 spectators, expandable to 30,000 for international events such as the European Championships and compliant with UEFA Category 4 standards – will be built on the site of the old stadium, with a displacement of approximately 55 metres to the northwest.
"It will be a cutting-edge facility," Villa Devoto emphasizes, "designed according to Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) criteria, capable of hosting not only football events but also concerts, conferences, and cultural events, thanks to the presence of a 122-room hotel, conference rooms, a museum dedicated to Cagliari Calcio, retail spaces, and a wellness center."
In a statement, the Todde Council continues: "The project stems from the Program Agreement signed between the Sardinia Region and the Municipality of Cagliari, in implementation of Article 11 of Regional Law 1/2023, on December 27, 2024.
The program agreement, signed by President Todde and Mayor Zedda, incorporates the changes approved by the City Council in December 2024, consistent with the city's urban planning and environmental guidelines. The project meets the objectives of urban enhancement and territorial regeneration, restoring centrality and function to one of the city's most iconic sites. In addition to the demolition of the old Sant'Elia, redevelopment of the surrounding areas is planned, with new parking lots, green spaces, and pedestrian connections between the Sant'Elia and San Bartolomeo neighborhoods and the coastline. The playing field and main grandstand of the current temporary facility will also be maintained, ensuring the continuity of sporting activities during construction. The new Sant'Elia, the Council concludes, will be an international sports and cultural center, an example of the balance between innovation, sustainability, and territorial identity, and will mark a turning point for the city and the entire island, destined to host one of the most modern and iconic facilities in the Mediterranean.
(Unioneonline)
