Claudio Lotito, president of SS Lazio, has presented a pre-feasibility study to Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri for the Serie A club’s plans to redevelop the Stadio Flaminio.
Lazio has proposed an expansion of the stadium from its current capacity of 24,973 up to around 50,000. Lotito first met with Gualtieri back in July to discuss his vision for the project.
At the time, the cost of the project was reported to be around €250m (£207m/$263m), but this has now risen to €400m. The stadium was designed by renowned Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi and any redevelopment carried out by Lazio would seek to incorporate Nervi’s original vision.
The stadium, which was built ahead of the 1960 Olympic Games, is owned by the Municipality of Rome. It initially served as a football ground before hosting Italy’s rugby union team from 2000 to 2011.
Stadio Flaminio has been closed since 2011 and the Municipality is seeking ways to bring it back to life. As well as Lazio, swimming and water polo club AS Roma Nuoto has submitted a proposal to redevelop the stadium.
The stadium is located close to the city centre and there have been concerns over potential noise pollution at a redeveloped venue. Lotito has pledged to introduce a Limited Traffic Zone on match days to alleviate these concerns.
“They appreciated the work we did and that highlights Lazio’s desire to redevelop the Stadio Flaminio, safeguarding its architectural value but above all the area in which the facility is located,” Lotito said, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.
“We are not only delivering Lazio’s stadium, but the city of Rome’s, which will be used by Lazio, redeveloping it in terms of traffic, acoustics, greenery and initiatives for the people who live in the quadrant for an investment of around €400m.”
Lotito added that the club’s intention is to speed up the process, and he is hopeful that the project would take a maximum of three years to complete.
Gualtieri added: “It went well. A nice project. It will have to be examined in detail, but we are happy.”
