Toscolano Maderno Approves Sports Center Project Amid Environmental Concerns

The Toscolano Maderno City Council approved the preliminary project to establish a sports center in Gaino, the hillside district of Toscolano. The majority (Polo) expressed support, while the Ulivo and Sergio Bertasio (former Lega Nord, now Lombardia-Lombardia) abstained, and the environmentalist Cristina Milani opposed.

Project Details and Political Positions

“We own a 20,000-square-meter area, which has been uncultivated for years,” explained Mayor Paolo Elena. “The town planning ordinance initially designated a large artisanal settlement, which we now intend to revoke. To prevent Gaino from becoming a dormitory (consider, there is only one bar among many apartments), we must focus on this new initiative: it is the most cost-effective way to revitalize the area.”

“We,” Elena continued, “will make the land available to private investors, who will build and manage the sports center for 25-30 years. Eventually, ownership will transfer to the Municipality.”

Works to be Realized

This is the list of planned works: two football fields (one natural turf, for eleven players, which could be used by some of the seven youth teams of Toscolano, as the Ugo Locatelli stadium in via Religione needs to be used for additional events; the other in synthetic material for small-sided football), locker rooms, services, infirmary, a kiosk with restaurant, bar, pizzeria, and conference room, an area for summer festivals (during the rest of the year, it will serve as parking and as a rectangular basketball or volleyball court), a children’s playground, at least two tennis courts and a bocce court, a fitness gym, the caretaker’s residence, and a swimming pool (it remains undecided whether to build an outdoor or indoor pool; in any case, it must have at least four and a half meters depth to allow scuba diving courses), and the caretaker’s house. The total volume is estimated at six thousand cubic meters. The expected investment is five billion euros.

Possibility of constructing a 25-room hotel is included, for which a Variance is essential. The mayor added that a contract tender has been prepared. If multiple groups participate, a commission will evaluate the proposals based on various parameters: technical and aesthetic value of the project, materials used, execution time, management duration (25 years? 30 years? or a different period?), potential rent, etc.

Criticisms and Environmentalist Positions

Milani criticized the project. “A disruptive environmental impact,” said the representative of Rinascita Democratica. “The plain in front of the old village deserves respect and consideration, especially since numerous residences have been built there in the past. Let’s build facilities amidst green spaces, but not on such a large scale. There is too much construction; it needs to be limited. Moreover, I find the emphasis on football excessive.”

Elena responded: “The regional urban plan envisioned 60,000 cubic meters for artisanal use. We will eliminate that to make room for these 6,000. The ratio is ten to one. I don’t think it’s appropriate to criticize. The worst thing would be to do nothing.”

Management Issues and Risks

Fearing speculative operations and changes in use, former mayor Silvano Boni requested—and obtained—the inclusion of a clause: if the sports center remains closed for at least two years, it will constitute a serious breach of contract, and the municipality may acquire the entire property immediately and free of charge, without waiting for the expiration of the term.

An outstanding issue concerns the road climbing from the 45 bis, which is narrow and winding in some sections. Plans include widening these challenging stretches and smoothing out the curves: a private individual has agreed to grant a strip of land in exchange for volumetric allowances elsewhere.

Residents’ Requests and Final Considerations

Bertasio insisted on convening a new assembly with the Gaino community after the October meeting. Maximum attention must be paid to environmental impact, creating something aesthetically pleasing. Conversely, some fear that the project may not be financially sustainable: supporting a five-billion euro investment would require private investors to earn at least 250 million annually.