Italian Serie A football club Bologna has today (Friday) revealed its vision for the future of the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with president Joey Saputo stating that the redeveloped facility will set an example for others to follow.
Plans for the stadium were unveiled today and will involve the Dall’Ara being reduced in capacity from 31,000 to 27,000, with room for expansion to 29,000. The stadium first opened in 1927 and the new-look Dall’Ara will be completely covered by a roof, with the stands located closer to the pitch.
The project is expected to take five years to complete. “This stadium is not only a sports facility but an unmistakable monument amongst Italian and foreign stadia,” Saputo said, according to local newspaper il Resto del Carlino.
“Bologna will be an example in this sense, with a stadium that will be a successful mix of ancient and modern. Total coverage, new spaces for reception and entertainment and a taste of tradition. Renato Dall’ara would be satisfied.”
Chief executive Claudio Fenucci stated that in the last 15 years there have been 167 renovations or constructions of new stadia in Europe. “Italy has lagged behind and this has led to a fall in our system,” he said. “These developments have largely taken place thanks to partnerships between public and private, as in our project.”
Gino Zavanella, architect for the stadium, added: “The first problem faced in 2015 was the superstructure built for Italia 90 (FIFA World Cup). It was necessary to resurrect the old structure of 1927. Then, a year ago, the need for seismic adaptation arrived, which will allow us to bring the stands closer to the field.”
Images: Bologna FC
