Montichiari Council Approves Stadium Project Amid Traffic and Environmental Debates
The project for the new Montichiari football stadium took a significant step forward during the last City Council meeting, which also made important decisions regarding school vouchers and the passage of light metro through the local area. During the session, there was also a renewed outcry against heavy traffic passing through the town center.
The debate in the chamber was heated, but ultimately the majority, with the unanimous support of the Polo, approved all items on the agenda. The minority group “Popolari per Montichiari” did not participate in the vote on the new stadium and on the resolution opposing the refugee center for illegal immigrants (details of which are reported in an article on page 11). In this case, the Popolari also secured the support of the D66 councilor Giulio Bertolini.
Perspectives and opposition on the stadium
The opposition clarified that they are in favor of the new football stadium, but do not agree with the haste with which the administration brought the economic-financial plan of the project to the council. The Popolari would have preferred more time to examine the project’s details, which after approval by the Council will move to the implementation phase with the announcement of the tender for the contract bid.
The project includes the construction of a modern stadium, with stands and services, equipped with a main field and two training fields. The total cost is estimated at around 5 billion euros, plus another two billion euros financed by the Province for the velodrome to be built next to the football fields.
In essence, a real “Sports Citadel” will be created, which will also include the current Palageorge, where Serie A volleyball and B basketball are played. Giulio Bertolini, who opposes the project, emphasized that “given Brescia’s interest in building the new stadium for Serie A in Montichiari, it could, as is already done in other cities, be managed together with them, saving money and avoiding unnecessary duplication.”.
Traffic and environmental issues
The majority rejected a motion presented by the minorities, which called for a firm commitment from the mayor to request, in the appropriate forums, “the extension of Brescia’s light metro to Montichiari”. This proposal, although supported by the Giunta led by Gianantonio Rosa, was rejected because “the timing is not yet ripe: there is a referendum pending on the infrastructure project, the Region has not yet spoken, and Brescia itself is not convinced about the type of project to be implemented”.
Opinions differ between the majority and the opposition regarding the school vouchers proposed by the Regione Lombardia. A detailed proposal by the Democrats (Ds), supported by the Ppm, was rejected in this regard.
However, everyone agrees on the need to protect the environment and the citizens of Montichiari “from the increase in pollution caused by car exhaust gases and heavy vehicle traffic”. The mayor has already tasked technical offices, ecology departments, and city police to draft an emergency intervention plan.
At the start of the Council, a minute of silence was observed in homage to the victims of the Holocaust, on the occasion of the “Memory” day, celebrated on January 27.