BARBERA STADIUM, AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PALERMO AND PALERMO F.C. ON THE EXTENSION OF THE CONCESSION: A NEW STEP TOWARDS A DEAL LASTING UP TO 99 YEARS
Today, at Villa Niscemi, in the presence of the mayor of Palermo, Roberto Lagalla, the councillors for the Heritage, Brigida Alaimo, and Sport, Alessandro Anello, and the President of the City Council, Giulio Tantillo, the Municipality and Palermo F.C. signed an agreement to extend the current concession for the Renzo Barbera stadium. In addition to the president of the rosanero club, Dario Mirri, and the CEO, Giovanni Gardini, also present for the occasion were the CEO of City Football Group, Ferran Soriano, and the board member of City Football Group and Palermo F.C., Alberto Galassi. The agreement between the parties provides for the option to enter into a new agreement for the concession of the facility for up to 99 years, subject to the presentation of a technical and economic feasibility study to be approved by the Municipality.
“Today we are taking another decisive step that projects the Barbera stadium into the future. This step has been made possible by the synergistic collaboration that has been established and strengthened in recent years between the Municipality and Palermo F.C., as confirmed by today’s meeting, which was also attended by the top management of the rosanero club and the parent company from Manchester, whom I would like to thank for their availability and commitment. The common goal – said Mayor Lagalla – is to reach a new multi-decade concession agreement for the Viale Del Fante stadium in the coming months, in order to give the city and Palermo fans a more modern and comfortable stadium and to bid for Euro 2032. In order to achieve this goal, the extension of the current concession is a necessary and strategic step to allow the continuation of the current stadium renovation work and the acquisition of the project behind the multi-decade concession, which will then be duly presented to the City Council. After years of neglected, this administration is already investing €3 million of its own resources in renovation work, thanks also to the collaboration with Palermo F.C., convinced that cooperation with a strong partner such as the City Football Group will not only deliver the sporting results that the rosanero fans deserve, but also represent added value for the whole city from a social and economic point of view. Finally, I would like to thank Councillors Alaimo and Anello and their offices, the City Council Cabinet and the City’s legal advisor Lucio Geraci, who have worked hard and will continue to do so together with the management, technicians and lawyers of Palermo F.C.”.
“Today’s move, beyond its immediate practical effects, also has enormous symbolic value for the institutions, the club and the entire city. Because it is proof – said Palermo CEO Giovanni Gardini – that there is a desire on all sides to raise the profile of this wonderful city through structural interventions capable of projecting an entire community to levels of excellence, in step with modernity. Always with a view to providing citizens – not just fans – with the functional and efficient services they deserve. We are already working to present a feasibility study as soon as possible that will outline a vision for a modern, sustainable, welcoming stadium that is integrated into the urban identity. The new Barbera will be all this and much more. And by working as a team also off the pitch, as demonstrated in discussions with the Municipality of Palermo over the last few years, we are confident that we will get there together”.