Plans for AS Roma’s new stadium, the Stadio della Roma, are progressing rapidly with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) having now been appointed to provide the security strategy and design, according to media reports.
The master plan has been described as ‘one of the most important projects of urban regeneration in Europe’ includes a comprehensive redevelopment of the area as well as supporting Roma’s intention ‘to become one of the world’s most successful football clubs in the world’.
The €1.5 billion project includes a 52,500-60,000 seater stadium and Nuova Trigoria – a business park, a centralised entertainment district convivium and green areas.
ICSS will coordinate with Stadio della Roma’s design and engineering consultants and other stakeholders to determine the threats, risks, vulnerabilities and security operational requirements for Stadio della Roma.
The ICSS focus is to ensure a ‘secure experience’ both for football fans attending matches as well as for visitors to the entertainment complex which is envisaged will be open 365 days a year.
Key to the ICSS role will be to ensure that security is built into the venue without impacting on the aesthetics or operations of the venue. The emphasis is on creating a family environment, something that is generally missing in Italian football grounds.
Mark Pannes, CEO of Stadio della Roma, was quoted by the media as saying: “We are determined to create a family-friendly environment for every fan who visits the stadium and that means that security is at the forefront of everything we are doing. Our whole project team is working closely with the ICSS surrounding the design, implementation and management of the highest-level security objectives including security risk assessment and security strategy development for both on-site infrastructure and cyber security.”
While Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, told the media: “This partnership with one of the great football clubs of the world is another milestone in the development of the ICSS. Stadio della Roma has the potential to become a role model in the fields of safety and security. The ICSS is looking forward to a sustainable partnership with Stadio della Roma as the new and safe home of AS Roma.” to secure a ‘family’ future.