The Sicilian Region seeks partners to relaunch the Sciacca and Acireale spas

For years, they have been the driving force behind the development of tourism and more in two important areas of Sicily. And they have also been a point of reference for cures for many generations of Sicilians. But for years the spas of Acireale (Catania) and Sciacca (Agrigento) had ended up in limbo, or rather in oblivion: closed without any hope of being reopened. A wasted heritage with consequences also for the induced activities that the two facilities manage to activate.

For almost a year now, the Sicilian regional government led by Renato Schifani has been launching a project to renovate and relaunch the two spa facilities, and now this project has reached a crucial juncture: the publication of the notice by which the Region is launching the selection of a private partner for the renovation and management. The exploratory notice for the search of economic operators interested in submitting public-private partnership proposals, which has already been published on the Sicilian Region's website, will be published in the Official Gazette tomorrow (27 December).

The Region has already allocated 90 million euro as part of the Cohesion Agreement signed last May with the national government, while the private sector will have to co-finance the operation with 94 million euro: a total of 184 million euro to refurbish and relaunch the two spa complexes, which, at this point, become the fundamental pivot of the Region's strategy in this sector. In particular, the cost of upgrading the Sciacca thermal baths will amount to just over 102 million, and that of the Acireale thermal baths to almost 82 million: the rigid timetable has already been set. 'A further step forward,' says the President of the Region, Renato Schifani, 'in favour of the redevelopment of the Sciacca and Acireale spas. The partnership between the public and private sectors is the best way to ensure that these two historic spa complexes regain their former prestige and maximum functionality, bringing quality spa tourism back to Sicily, which has been neglected for too many years. We are convinced that the relaunch of the two facilities can attract new tourist flows and contribute to the seasonal adjustment of the sector'.

The notices, in particular, concern the concession for the design, execution of works, and management of the two spa complexes, and were drawn up on the basis of the go-ahead given in November by the regional government to the procedures for selecting private partners for the redevelopment and relaunch of the two spa complexes: An OK arrived with the adoption of the 'Three-year programme of public requirements that "can be met," a note explains, "through forms of public-private partnership, a tool provided for by the new Public Contracts Code and entrusted, for drafting and preliminary investigation, to the regional Technical Department of the Department of Infrastructure.

"From the very first hour, the Department of Productive Activities has shared and supported the commitment of the President of the Region, Renato Schifani, to reopen and relaunch the Sciacca and Acireale spas. I am firmly convinced of the need to return to use these facilities, which are essential for the island's economic and tourism development, enhancing the spa vocation of the two cities,'' says the Regional Councillor for Productive Activities, Edy Tamajo. ''This is an extraordinary opportunity for Sicily's growth because it allows us to utilise the skills and experience of private individuals to improve the quality, timing, and cost of the interventions. The Region's objective is to offer valuable thermal tourism in Sicily, capable of attracting new tourist flows and contributing to the seasonal adjustment of the sector. We trust that this initiative will lead to effective and innovative management, capable of enhancing our resources and traditions'.