The restyling of the old Giovanni Celeste stadium is the most awaited contract by Messina fans and lovers of football sports in the city. Many are wondering what stage the works have reached after Palazzo Zanca’s delivery to the company awarded the project. Well, the construction site in the Gazzi area is in turmoil. The workers are fully operational especially in the area under the Curva Sud, where the renovation of the premises is planned. And between via Uberto Bonino and viale Gazzi a vehicle parking ban is in force, so as to allow construction vehicles to operate without hitches or obstacles.
Sports councilor Massimo Finocchiaro confirms that everything is proceeding according to schedule: «The works have started a few days ago, as certified by an initial inspection by the person responsible for the procedure. Further “coupons” will follow, in which we as the municipal administration will also participate. Everything is normal.” The representative of the council led by mayor Federico Basile reiterates the optimism regarding the next phase, that of the laying of the new coveringwhich will be either natural grass, as in the past, or synthetic. «I would like to remind you that this intervention is not included in the current contract and requires financing of 500-600 thousand euros. But obtaining this sum – specifies Finocchiaro – will absolutely not constitute a problem. It will always be obtained as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan or through other channels.” The handover of the works to the Consorzio Stabile Santa Chiara di Favara officially took place on August 29th. They will last one year, at the end of which the historic facility in via Oreto will definitely have a more beautiful and modern look, thanks to the two million euros available to Palazzo Zanca. Fallen into oblivion and surrounded by abandonment, the glorious Celeste stadium – the one from the run in the cadet Serie that brought FC Messina to Serie A – will finally be returned to the city in 2025. In the intentions of the Administration, it will be used especially by smaller clubs and probably also from the Acr. It will become a sports and aggregation center, thanks to the redevelopment of the covered grandstand, South Curve and underlying areas (North Curve and Stairs are not included). The gym will be re-functionalized and open to all, the changing rooms previously used by the clubs will be renovated and made available for the gym, which will be accessed from via Bonino. Under the “South”, which will have 1750 seats, two new changing rooms will be built for the teams that will use the sports facility.
The covered grandstand – which can hold up to 2200 spectators – will have access for disabled people, while in the lower part a large glass window will separate the pitch from the refreshment area at the height of the green rectangle. The latter will be moved towards the covered grandstand, the benches removed and positioned under the steps. The aim is to make the facility approved for the D. The dimensions of the pitch should also be regulatory for the Lega Pro, but it will be necessary to respect safety restrictions.
