The renovation and maintenance project that pushes Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore of Reggio Emilia into the future, while remaining in the wake of tradition, has been presented today. An important piece in the work plan that has improved and modernized the structure since 2014, with investments of over 18 million euros, transforming it into a facility that meets the highest international standards.
The project presented today regards all facades maintenance, especially that of the West entrance, where the ‘Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore sign, the access tunnel and the walkway flooring will also be upgraded.
On the main facade, together with the tricolore, the large protective tarp on the staircase will also be renewed, which will host the illustration of an internationally renowned artist: Olimpia Zagnoli, thus integrating an artwork into the visual identity of the stadium and enhancing the structure in its function as a sports facility and heritage of the city.
Simona Giorgetta, Mapei Stadium’s sole administrator, stated: “In these almost ten years of management, we have worked to make Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore a cutting-edge facility without barriers, with a cheer characterized by fair play. Our interest is to offer every spectator the opportunity to live exciting experiences at the stadium and to open the structure also to the territory, art and culture.
At the center of the project, we have put two symbols of Reggio Emilia: the Tricolore and the people. We have, in fact, chosen to involve an artist of Reggio Emilia origins to create an art piece that celebrates the community of fans, alongside art and sport, two passions capable of uniting people, framing it with multiple references to the colors of our flag”.
To make the work, entitled All together now, Olimpia Zagnoli was inspired by a black and white video from 1964 in which Liverpool fans sing She loves you by the Beatles from the stands of Anfield stadium, in England.
“It is a clip that I watch from time to time – says Olimpia Zagnoli – and that strikes me because it reveals a certain romanticism that I believe is necessary to face both victories and defeats at the stadium and in life. The illustration represents a group of people caught in the act of celebrating a common feeling at a specific time and place. A choir of different voices that rises in the sky and blend together.”
The Tricolore, in addition to the central pediment, is represented by four large banners, two on each side of the facade, and by the stairs with the green, white, and red steps.
The project also includes the revamping of the entire lighting system of the playing field, to which will be added new devices dedicated to entertainment and scenic lighting both inside and outside the stadium. Light and color play, completely customizable thanks to the versatility of the Thorn system, a brand of Zumtobel Group, will make the stadium the scene of exciting and amazing events.
A donation from Mapei Stadium of 150 cherry trees, which will brighten with their colors the now empty flowerbeds in the municipal parking lot in front of the stadium, completes the restoration of the area.
All the work carried out at Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore was done by informing and sharing the decisions with the authorities in charge – Municipality, Technical Offices, GOS, Prefecture – and with the two football clubs that have sub-concession contracts in place for the use of the structure.
