Piacenza Province Prepares Schools for New Year Amidst Ongoing Renovations
The Province of Piacenza has been working throughout the summer to ensure adequate learning spaces for secondary schools as the 2025/2026 school year approaches,particularly following a fire at the Mattei Institute in fiorenzuola on July 31st which damaged the roof adn other parts of the building.
To accommodate students, alternative arrangements have been made for motor education lessons. Students will utilize the South Municipal Sports center (near the swimming pool) and the North Municipal sports Center (near the velodrome). The Province will cover the transportation costs for a bus service running between the Campus and the South Sports Area, Monday through Friday. A project is underway to restore the Mattei Institute’s gym to operational status within a year, with planned interventions including roof repairs, system upgrades, and flooring replacement.
Beyond the Mattei Institute, the Province is overseeing meaningful structural and seismic enhancement work across nine educational institutions, totaling over 21 million euros. This project, initiated between late 2022 and early 2023, is funded 79.45% by the National Resumption and resilience Plan (PNRR), 18.87% by the Province of Piacenza, and 1.68% by the Fund for Indifferent Works (FOI). The goal is to ensure all buildings meet current seismic safety regulations.
These renovations have necessitated temporary relocations. Thirty-six classes from the Colombini High School and liceo Respighi in Piacenza have been moved to temporary teaching modules at the viale Malta car park. The gym at the colombini Institute is now complete and available for use at the start of the school year, with only minor finishing touches remaining for sports clubs.The Palazzina M at the IISII Marconi in Piacenza is also ready for occupancy. Work at the ITI di Fiorenzuola is expected to be completed by December 2025, though teaching activities will not be disrupted. Buildings 3 and 4 of the Colombini Lyceum, the former Ipsia of Piacenza, and a portion of the Liceo Respighi are already back in use.
The Province is also evaluating additional ordinary maintenance interventions to address urgent needs arising from the ongoing construction.
Province President monica Patelli extended best wishes to students, parents, school managers, and staff for the new school year, reaffirming the provincial governance’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and support for the school community.
