
Italian Serie B football club Parma Calcio 1913 will continue its work on creating ‘a unique and historical opportunity’ for the city after proposals for the redevelopment of its stadium, Stadio Ennio Tardini, were approved by the city council.
The club, which was relegated from the Serie A last season, unveiled initial plans in April last year with its design partner, Studio Zoppini, with the slogan ‘A Stadium for Parma, inspired by Parma’.
Parma’s City Council has now voted in favour of a resolution deeming the project to be of ‘public interest’, paving the way for the club to present its proposal for the redevelopment of the stadium. In total, it was 20 votes in favour, seven against, and four abstentions.
Deputy Mayor of Parma, Marco Bosi:
“The project presented by Parma Calcio is not perfect, but it is a huge step forward for our city. The task of this administration is to seize this opportunity by trying to obtain the best possible stadium,” he said.
“A project that will make the Tardini an opportunity for the neighbourhood during the week and a welcoming place on match day, especially for people that are heavily penalised today, such as the disabled and families.”
Parma Calcio 1913 club statement:
“The club expresses full satisfaction with the adopted measure and thanks Mayor (Federico) Pizzarotti, the Deputy Mayor Bosi, the City Council, RUP ing. Gadaleta and all the offices and parties involved in the feasibility study evaluation procedure,” it read.
“It also thanks the people of Parma for their prolonged support of this initiative, aware of the extraordinary opportunity that the decision from Parma Calcio 1913 offers. The club continues to work tirelessly towards the final project in order to create a unique and historical opportunity for Parma, its people and, more generally, the wider area.”
Although this is a big step towards progressing with redevelopments for Stadio Ennio Tardini, there are still people who oppose to the plans.
Parma Democratic Party municipal councillor, Lorenzo Lavagetto:
“First of all we posed a question of legitimacy on the resolution. We have concerns based on the fact that it should be the City Council, and not a resolution of the council, to vote for it. I presented the request for suspension but it was not accepted,” he said.
“I believe that the project needs to be changed from an architectural point of view. I hope that the project can be remodelled in more appropriate terms for the built-up area to create the least possible inconvenience for its inhabitants.