by InTrieste
With a flourish and a cut of the ribbon by Olympic fencer Margherita Granbassi, Trieste welcomed a new chapter in its sporting life on Thursday. The Trieste Campus, an ambitious project aimed at fostering the next generation of athletes and community members, officially opened its doors.
The ceremony, held at the state-of-the-art facility on Via Locchi, drew over 200 guests, including local dignitaries and sports enthusiasts. Among them was Enrico Samer, the driving force behind the campus, who emphasized the project’s broader societal goals. “As a citizen, father, entrepreneur, and sportsman,” Samer declared, “I believe that sports should be a cornerstone of our society. Through dedication and ethical practice, sports can deeply influence young people, instilling values that benefit all.”
The Trieste Campus, inspired by American sports complexes, offers a range of facilities designed to cater to both elite athletes and local sports enthusiasts. The campus includes training gyms, free-body discipline rooms, specialized spaces for fencing and karate, and outdoor courts for tennis, padel, and pickleball. A basketball and volleyball gym, part of a second development phase, will also be refurbished, continuing the transformation of previously unused municipal structures.
This innovative project, a result of public-private partnership financing initiated in 2019, aims to breathe new life into the community. “Trieste Campus is a visionary project,” said Mayor Roberto Dipiazza. “It regenerates an area, providing citizens and families with new sports spaces. This endeavor showcases the potential of public-private partnerships to enhance our city’s infrastructure.”
In addition to athletic training, the campus prioritizes academic growth and personal development. It features study areas and after-school programs, emphasizing the integration of sports and education. “It’s crucial,” Samer noted, “that everyone has the chance to pursue sports and learn to balance it with their studies, using high-quality facilities to meet their personal challenges.”
The campus will serve as the home for several local sports associations, including Pallanuoto Trieste, Unione Sportiva Triestina Nuoto, and Fiamma Karate, among others. These groups are expected to animate the new space, fostering a vibrant community hub.
Looking ahead, Samer revealed plans for further expansions. “We are focused on developing a broader ‘sports system’ in Trieste. This includes transforming an underutilized outdoor pool into a year-round water polo arena and converting a nearby historical building into a sports hostel to support international events,” he said.
The grand opening, accompanied by an open house for the public, marks just the beginning. With final administrative touches expected to be completed by the end of June, Trieste Campus is poised to become a central feature of the city’s sporting and community landscape.
Interviews: Margherita Granbassi; Andrea Razzi; Stefania Pirozzi: Enrico Sammer
