It is getting closer, but still far from the start. The project in Bologna is undergoing a tedious bureaucratic procedure that may end at the beginning of the fourth quarter of this year.

Owner takes on most of financing

Changes in the concept of the stadium were unveiled in summer 2020. The preliminary Services Conference was held from July to October last year. These were activities related to reaching an agreement with the relevant offices and service providers for the construction of Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. After reaching a consensus, the design documentation was prepared.

© Bologna FC, GAU Arena

The final design for the stadium's reconstruction (depicted in fresh renderings) was submitted to the municipality of Bologna by Bologna Stadio Spa on May 6, 2021. This entity was created in February 2020 by Bologna FC 1909 to oversee the modernization of the facility.

A draft contract was also submitted to the municipality, which provides the club with a 40-year lease of the arena, even in the event that the contract for reconstruction was won by a company not currently participating in the project.

The total cost of building the venue is expected to be € 100 million. 60 million is guaranteed by Bologna FC and its owner Joey Saputo. Credito Sportivo, under the agreement with Saputo, is to allocate 20 million out of those 60 million. The remaining 40 million is to be contributed by the municipality of Bologna. After completion of the works, the stadium will still be owned by the city's authorities.

© Bologna FC, GAU Arena

Another 120 days to raise objections to project

The delivery of the final stadium design completes the preliminary Services Conference and opens a decision conference that is expected to last another 120 days. Its completion is planned for the beginning of September. During this time, various offices and service providers will be able to raise objections to the project.

Among the entities mentioned above are the prefecture, the health office, the fire department, the environmental protection service and the energy company. They had already attended the preliminary Services Conference. Then, within 90 days, the tender for construction works should close.

© Bologna FC, GAU Arena

Meanwhile, Bologna FC is focusing on planning the construction of a temporary stadium with a maximum capacity of 16,500 in the CAAB fairgrounds. The team would move there at the start of the 2022/23 season. The cost of building a temporary structure could reach € 20 million and the construction is likely to be financed by the municipality, although the club is still looking for private investors.

Construction works on Stadio Renato Dall'Ara are expected to begin in summer or autumn of 2022. Upon completion of the main stadium, the capacity of the temporary arena will be reduced from 16,500 to 3,000 and this facility will become home of the club's youth teams and women's football. Perhaps part of the area occupied by the temporary structure will later be converted into a city park.

Author: Tomasz Sobura