Lonato’s New Sports Facility Set to Launch by Autumn with Urban Renewal Initiatives

There is important news for the lonatesi athletes: by autumn, work will begin on the new facility in Centenaro. The agreement for the construction of the structure has been signed for some time, and the necessary area has been identified. The schedule is set by the Public Works Councillor Emilio Baresi.

It is the same councillor to explain that in the coming months, a detailed executive project will be finalized, which will also include other significant urban renewal interventions for the entire hamlet. “If all goes well,” Baresi explains, “by the end of the year — we will move from commitments to the operational phase.”

Project Details

The agreement between the municipal administration and the Centenaro parish, adopted by the municipal council last November, provides for the management of the new multipurpose center and the new sports field to be built right by us. These interventions concern areas of about 14,000 square meters, partly owned by the parish and partly by the Municipality, located in front of the church.

The operation also includes the creation of a sacristy area in front of the church, and a square that the hamlet currently lacks, from which access to the park will be possible, complete with children’s play equipment. A cycle path will run all around the area, which will be at the center of the development.

Along the edge of the square, according to the intentions of the Executive led by Morando Perini, a multi-purpose building will be constructed for public use: on the ground floor of the building, there will be changing rooms for teams and referees, as well as a small storage room and a meeting room. Upstairs, several multipurpose rooms will be created, which could host a small library, a projection room, and group activities.

Behind the new square, the football field will be located, equipped with bleachers and an irrigation system. The new Centenaro sports center will also be completed with the construction of a multi-purpose platform (tennis, volleyball, basketball) and two new parking areas. An ambitious project, intended to reshape much of the lonatese hamlet.

Duration of the Agreement and Existing Facilities

The already signed agreement is valid for 99 years, after which the deal will expire, and the assets will remain under the ownership of the respective entities (Comune and parrocchia), as indicated by current cadastral data.

However, also in the main town, the current sports facilities suffer from certain limitations, both concerning the municipal field in Viale Roma and the gymnasium in Via Regia Antica, managed by Basket Aquile Lonato.

Future Interventions and Projects

What does the municipal administration intend to do? “Improve the existing facilities where possible and identify an area for implementing a new sports center project. The choice of the necessary space,” explains Baresi, “will be linked to the revision of the General Town Plan, which is already underway.”

He believes that by the end of the year, this phase can also be completed. Then, they will discuss the actual project and how to find the necessary funds to realize it: Coni, Credito Sportivo, or others. Of course, the selected area must allow for future expansion and be well served by the road network.

The identification will also be supported by discussions among political forces in the council and with citizens.” Meanwhile, immediate work is planned to double the locker rooms at the municipal sports field in Viale Roma, where athletes from the Feralpi Calcio youth sector currently train and host league matches.

“Before selling this facility,” continues Councillor Baresi, “as certain political forces suggest, we want to make the new one a reality. We also plan to expand Via Montebello, the mini ring road connecting the former Busi steelworks with the railway station, not only to decongest the city center but also to better serve the soccer field of the youth center used by Feralpi’s first team.” The preliminary project for this work has already been approved, and it is expected to become executive by the end of the year.