Featured image credit: Spezia/GAU Arena
Spezia has presented the future vision for its Stadio Alberto Picco, following a multi-phase redevelopment, with the Italian football club expressing its determination to secure an immediate return to Serie A after relegation last season.
The club played the first Serie A match in its history at the Alberto Picco on December 16, 2020 after a project to bring the stadium in line with top-flight standards for the 2020-21 season was completed. Prior to that game, the club was forced to play home matches at Cesena’s Stadio Dino Manuzzi while upgrades were carried out at the Alberto Picco.
Since that point, further improvements have been carried out at the venue, under the direction of architect GAU Arena and construction company Clarin Italia Tribune.
In October, Spezia submitted an economic plan and feasibility study for the completion of the renovation works, which commenced in September 2021 with the demolition and reconstruction of the Curva Piscina, raising the stand’s capacity from 3,176 to 3,510 seats.
The second phase of works, mainly focused on the Tribuna, provides for the complete modernization of the stand and all the functions connected to it. It will last four months, with the works taking place in the period from this month through to September. A new roof will be added to the stand, with capacity raised from 1,222 to 1,353 seats.
The third and final phase of modernisation and restructuring of the Alberto Picco will be implemented between June and September 2024 and will mainly focus on the construction of a roof for the Ferrovia stand.
Total investment for the project is estimated to be €12m (£10.3m/$13.1m), raising the stadium’s capacity to at least 12,000. President of Spezia Calcio, Philip Platek Jr, said: “As promised, the ownership is carrying out the successive phases of a modernisation project that began in the summer of 2021, aimed at projecting the Stadio Alberto Picco into the future.
“The strong disappointment remains for the outcome of the season that has just ended and today we can do nothing but look at this day as the first part of a rebirth, with the aim of returning to Serie A as soon as possible.”
Mayor of La Spezia, Pierluigi Peracchini, added: “The project we are presenting is the result of a solid collaboration between the Municipality of La Spezia, the Liguria Region and Spezia Calcio, as well as being of great importance both from a sporting point of view and for the economic and social repercussions it will have on the territory.
“We have supported the club from the beginning and we have always been convinced of (the project’s) relevance, offering our support. The municipal administration has played its part and now it is up to the club to do its own, in order to guarantee the result that we all hope for.
“The realisation of this work must also be considered as a clear signal of a restart for the city and the fans, who deserve a renovated, modern stadium and have been waiting for this intervention for a long time.”
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