The inauguration of the Lugo auditorium will not take place before next spring, according to local officials, as construction on the building’s ground floor continues to block essential safety exits.
While the auditorium itself was completed in accordance with the timelines established by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), its use remains restricted by ongoing works on the “Emaldi20” space located on the ground floor, Il Resto del Carlino reported.
Safety exits remain blocked by Emaldi20 construction
Veronica Valmori, the municipal councilor for public works, stated that the auditorium cannot open until the ground floor site is finished. The current state of the Emaldi20 project prevents the use of the auditorium’s service emergency exits.
Valmori noted that if the ground floor intervention is not completed by then, the city will likely avoid a summer opening to prevent programming conflicts with existing summer arenas. If the spring deadline is missed, the inauguration could be pushed back to the 2027-2028 season.
Project responsibilities split between municipality and union
The building on via Emaldi, which formerly housed judo gyms, serves two distinct functions managed by different entities. The auditorium on the first floor is under the jurisdiction of the municipality and is intended for events, conferences, and film screenings.
The ground floor space, known as Emaldi20, is managed by the Union of the Bassa Romagna Communes. This area is designated as a permanent, multifunctional cultural space specifically for the youth within the Union’s territory.
Local groups demand transparency on management tender
The Villa San Martino branch of the Rifondazione Comunista circle has called for clarification regarding the overall progress of the building project. Their concerns follow a co-design notice published by the Union of the Bassa Romagna Communes on October 30, which set a submission deadline of November 9.
The notice seeks partners—including third-sector entities, cooperatives, associations, foundations, social enterprises, universities, and private companies—to manage Emaldi20 for the duration of the project and the subsequent three years. Participants must demonstrate their experience, proposed activities, expected results, and plans for the long-term sustainability of the space.
The Rifondazione Comunista group has criticized the 11-day window provided for associations or private companies to submit complex projects, describing the timeline as “suspicious” and insufficient. The group is calling for the following actions:
- The suspension of the current public notice.
- A confirmed completion date and final structural definition from the municipal council.
- The release of photos and floor plans once works are finished.
- A minimum one-month period for local associations to develop serious project proposals.
- Clear definitions regarding how private companies will collaborate.
Frequently asked questions about the Lugo auditorium
- Why can’t the auditorium open immediately if the building is finished?
- The construction site for the Emaldi20 space on the ground floor currently blocks the auditorium’s service emergency exits, making it unsafe for public use.
- What is the latest possible date for the opening?
- If the ground floor work is not finished by the spring, the opening could be delayed until the 2027-2028 season to avoid overlapping with summer programming.
- Who is responsible for managing the different floors of the building?
- The municipality manages the first-floor auditorium, while the Union of the Bassa Romagna Communes is responsible for the Emaldi20 space on the ground floor.
The Union of the Bassa Romagna Communes is currently evaluating partners for the Emaldi20 space following the November 9 deadline for project submissions.
