The free loan contract scheme for the Enrico Rocchi stadium between the Lazio Region and the Municipality of Viterbo was unanimously approved yesterday in the commission. With the latter being able to activate, “pending the completion of the tender procedure for the multi-year concession of the asset”, a public procedure for the temporary assignment of management of the sports facility until to 30 June 2025.
Rocchi, process at the penultimate stage
A solution, that of free loan, which will allow us to “shorten the time” for the reopening of the Rocchi, while waiting to complete the transfer of ownership of the property from the Region to Palazzo dei Priori which will acquire it for its own estate. After this step, the concession will be granted with a multi-year duration.
The story of the Rocchi stadium
This is the epilogue that is taking place on the long story involving the Enrico Rocchi stadium, which is currently closed. A story that began in 1987 with the regional resolution that entrusted the management of the sports field to the Municipality of Viterbo until today, with the ongoing acquisition of the property. “We believed that the loan was the fastest route – explained councilor Aronne – to arrive at the transfer of ownership and the multi-year tender”. Aronne informed the commission that a company had asked to supervise the plant.
Clash over a “house of sport”
Councilor Letizia Chiatti asked if the money needed to restore the surface and the areas to be maintained had been quantified, but Aronne postponed everything to the next city council, when “we will have the precise numbers”, because “the offices are working on it”. The conflict instead opened over the idea of a “house of sport” which should have brought other sporting activities to the city stadium according to the idea of the municipal administration.
“Football must be played at the Rocchi – Aronne specified, however -. In the past it has also been used for various sports as happens in other stadiums in Italy, but football remains the main discipline. I don’t see any problems, but if you want to inflame controversy to incite the fans, I say just play football.”
Tiziana Mancinelli
FULL ARTICLE IN THE VITERBO COURIER OF 22 JUNE – DIGITAL NEWSSTAND
