The football pitch in Piazza Magione was inaugurated today, following its redevelopment by Palermo FC in collaboration with the Municipality of Palermo as part of the rosanero Club’s social project, “Palermo in the Community”, dedicated to restoring sports spaces for young people and promoting inclusion, community engagement and social growth.
The project has completely redeveloped the pitch, with the replacement of the playing surface and fencing using high-quality materials, as well as the installation of a new lighting system. The city has thus regained a renovated, modern and functional space, intended above all for younger generations.
The project goes beyond the redevelopment of the sports area and also includes the shared management of the space through a Collaboration Agreement signed by the Municipality and a network of associations, schools, parishes and civic organisations already active in the Kalsa-Magione neighbourhood. Palermo FC will also provide training activities and methodological support to encourage inclusive, educational and open management of the pitch.
The four-year Agreement guarantees free and accessible use of the space, with no form of exclusive use. Management will be entrusted to the Kalsa-Magione Educating Community, the Kalsa Magione Network and the IPSSEOA Pietro Piazza Institute, together with Addiopizzo Association, Palma Nana Cooperative, Booq Association, Handala Association, Send ETS Association, Mediterraneo Antirazzista, Idea e Azione Association, Di Sana Pianta Association, the SS Trinità Parish of the Basilica della Magione, the Parish of Santa Maria della Pietà alla Kalsa, the Piazza Magione Committee and the Kalsa Committee.
The main objectives include: promoting respect for common goods and active citizenship; encouraging community participation in the management of the pitch; developing sports activities and tournaments; creating educational and integration pathways through sport; strengthening the relationship between school, family and the local area; and organising initiatives for the care and maintenance of the space.
A central role will be played by the twenty Local Heroes, young people aged between 18 and 30 from the neighbourhood, selected and trained by Palermo FC as part of the international Healthy Goals/City in the Community programme. They will coordinate sports activities aimed at children and young people. The pitch will therefore become a hub for legality, inclusion and active citizenship.
Mayor Roberto Lagalla said: “The redevelopment of the pitch and the Collaboration Agreement represent the model of city we want: common goods cared for jointly by institutions, citizens and local organisations. Piazza Magione is once again a vibrant space for children and families, where sport becomes a tool for social cohesion, education and urban regeneration.”
Councillor for Sport Alessandro Anello said: “A valuable sports infrastructure and educational space have been returned to the city. The collaboration with Palermo FC and the involvement of the Local Heroes show how sport can generate opportunities, responsibility and growth for younger generations. This is a model we aim to replicate in other neighbourhoods.”
Councillor for Urban Regeneration Maurizio Carta said: “This project demonstrates that urban regeneration means not only restoring places, but also strengthening relationships and a sense of community. The pitch becomes a new gathering point for the neighbourhood, the result of collaboration between institutions, schools, associations, parishes and Palermo FC.”
Palermo FC President Dario Mirri said: “After the virtuous examples of New York, Bahia, Manchester and dozens of other pitches around the world, Palermo now also has its first pitch as part of the same social project. Wherever there are children and a football, as a sports club we feel the need to create opportunities and environments for sustainable development, inclusion, the fight against school dropout and a sense of community, with suitable and accessible facilities. And this is only the beginning.”