Chievo Verona Chooses San Zeno di Montagna for Summer Training
San Zeno di Montagna. A choice of quality and image. Chievo Verona goes against the trend and, instead of choosing picturesque locations in Trentino-Alto Adige as their summer training base, opts for the nearby inland municipality of Garda. A scenic place with breathtaking views over Italy’s largest lake, but also an ideal location to prepare for the upcoming Serie B season, lulled by a mountain climate.
All this takes place at the Park Hotel Jolanda belonging to the Chincherini family, a hospitality structure built on the ashes of a religious colony and, even earlier, during Fascism, an elegant hotel for the city bourgeoisie. Converted into a modern, functional hotel with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and tennis courts, it will host players and staff from Chievo from July 18 to August 6.
“It is the first time that an Italian professional football team has chosen our town as their retreat location,” said Mayor Cipriano Castellani with justified pride during the press conference called under the shade of the ancient trees of Park Hotel Jolanda. “This honors us, but above all, it demonstrates that San Zeno possesses the infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of such a prestigious club. Our hope is to bring good luck to Chievo.”
Institutional reactions and future prospects
Alongside the mayor, the secretary of the yellow-blue club, Giancarlo Fiumi, nods in agreement. In a confidential atmosphere, he hints at a future in Serie A for the guys from Diga. The young president, Luca Campedelli, is more reserved in his predictions, accompanied on the mountain trip by Enzo Zanin and press officer Marco Pacione.
“The environment is excellent, as was the openness of the local administration. We only hope this marks the beginning of a long and constructive relationship,” Campedelli emphasized before passing the ball — pardon, the word — to the provincial tourism councilor, Davide Bendinelli.
“There’s no doubt that we are witnessing a unique event. For the first time, a team of national stature, and indeed from Verona, realizes that without going far, they can find everything needed for optimal preparation for the new season just a few steps from the city. This is a positive image policy for the Verona team, but also a great tourist boost for San Zeno,” he stated.
The mastermind behind this winning partnership is lawyer Marco Bisagno. A board member of Chievo and a close friend of Mayor Castellani, he first initiated contact last September with a discreet dinner at the suggestive House of Spirits. This was the beginning of a tentative approach between the parties.
Follow-up talks took place during the winter before final ratification in March, over a warm meal at the Kus tavern. “There was no need for elaborate discussions,” reveals Bisagno. “Once the municipality agreed to upgrade the football pitch (which will be ready by July 17 at a cost of about 20 million euros, ed.), signing the agreement was a mere formality. As the Latin saying goes, Hic manebimus optime (Here we will stay very well).”
In August, the Primavera (Youth team) and the Youth Students of Chievo will also stay in training at San Zeno.