Riva’s Mayor Confirms Construction of Temporary Arena Amid Local Disputes

Like an endless soap opera, the story of the new sports arena is filled with shocking twists, one after another.

Just as rumors were spreading that the Palacongressi had halted all plans, following directives from its own board of directors, last night the mayor Malossini announced the purchase of the temporary structure.

The mayor of Riva, irritated by the persistent murmurs throughout the day claiming that the construction of the new (provisional) arena on the former Rigotti area was already settled, picked up his phone and contacted the editorial office, stating, “The order (from Palacongressi) for the tent has just been placed, so we will be fully ready for next year’s basketball league, as promised.”

Conflicts and Decisions Regarding the Temporary Structure

This may be the final chapter in a lengthy dispute that seemed destined to drag on for some time. Earlier this week, some members of the company’s board of directors (the board of auditors and the supervisory board), led by Gianni Zontini, expressed opposition to building the tent where Garda Cartiere will play during the upcoming season (while awaiting the completion of the final arena; the one to be built next to the current Palagarda).

A temporary structure, but costing around 800 million euros, to be split equally between Palacongressi srl and Lido di Riva spa, the two companies publicly owned and controlled by the municipality.

The same Vice Mayor of Riva, Pietro Matteotti, who was skeptical about the reported reversal by Palacongressi, also voiced his disapproval. “When promises are made — he commented — everything should be done to keep them. That’s how I see it. When we were prohibited from using Pavilion C at Baletera, Lido and Palacongressi promised to build, by June 2001, a tent near the Baletera.”

Following heated debates and controversies, the decision was made to go for the Rigotti location. Everyone agreed, and thus the temporary arena should be constructed there, without further excuses.

For the permanent solution, the inter-municipal collaboration (between Arco and Riva) will secure a provincial contribution of approximately 80 percent of the total expense.