The Magna Grecia Sports Centre is a particularly significant urban and sports regeneration project, which radically transforms an existing facility into a modern sports centre of excellence.
Incide Engineering has been awarded the contract for Engineering and Architectural Services for the project to upgrade and redevelop the tennis sports centre, ahead of the 20th edition of the 2026 Mediterranean Games: a major international event aimed at re-establishing Taranto as a centre of sporting excellence, building on its historic tradition in this field.
The design consortium awarded the contract is a temporary joint venture (RTP) comprising three leading firms in the sports infrastructure sector: the lead partner is the Paolo Pettene & Partners STP Architectural Practice, which is responsible for the architecture; Bolina Ingegneria is responsible for the structural engineering; and Incide Engineering is responsible for the mechanical and electrical engineering design, with Engineer Gianluca Vallerini acting as Project Manager.
The Magna Grecia Sports Centre (IT)
More than just a competitive sports facility, the new centre has been designed to deliver value to the local community, transforming a derelict area into a hub for socialising and personal development for young people and families, destined to endure well beyond the end of the Olympic Games. The architectural heart of the complex reinterprets the principles of Italian Rationalism in a contemporary key, harmoniously integrating spaces for athletes with areas dedicated to the public.
Located in the Italia-Montegranaro district, the complex spans an entire city block. The project, valued at over 7 million euros, involves the construction of 8 ITF-approved resin tennis courts, including a centre court with stands capable of accommodating up to 1,500 spectators. The project is completed by a modern clubhouse, state-of-the-art changing rooms, a children’s play area and green spaces featuring relaxation trails and a themed spray park.
The sustainable innovation project led by Incide Engineering
Incide Engineering was responsible for the detailed design of the mechanical and electrical systems at RTP, and worked to ensure that, once the international event has concluded, the facility can be managed with minimised operating costs, offering the public modern spaces for sport and catering.
The excellence of the work carried out is reflected in highly efficient technological solutions: here they are in detail.
NZEB and CAM Efficiency
- The main building was designed to NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards, ensuring energy performance exceeding legal limits, with a non-renewable energy performance index of just 3.76 kWh/m²;
- every technical decision strictly adhered to the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM). The integration of a photovoltaic system on the roof of the technical block and the use of high-efficiency heat pumps have made it possible to achieve a 96.2 per cent share of energy from renewable sources, well above the required minimum of 65 per cent.
Hydraulic and mechanical innovation
Incide has paid meticulous attention to water management and environmental comfort:
- a rainwater harvesting system has been designed, which feeds into a 15 m³ storage tank, allowing the water to be reused for watering green spaces. Furthermore, the car park is equipped with a dedicated tank for treating first-flush rainwater, complete with a sand trap and oil separator;
- the air-conditioning and heating systems have been designed to ensure thermo-hygrometric comfort through adaptive control of environmental conditions. The use of heat recovery units with 70 per cent thermal efficiency ensures efficient and healthy controlled mechanical ventilation.
Digitalisation and advanced electrical systems
The electrical and special systems designed by Incide represent the digital ‘brain’ of the complex:
- Incide has developed an outdoor sports lighting system using RGB LED technology at the monumental entrance
- Wireless smart lighting: the lighting system for the playing fields (capable of reaching 1,000 lx for television broadcasts) is managed via wireless technology and Wi-Fi antennas, drastically reducing electrical cabling and enabling remote control via smartphone.
- The entire block is protected by a modern CCTV system for monitoring access points and the monumental entrance, supported by structured cabling comprising Cat 6 and fibre optic cables.
Longevity of the project
Incide has drawn up an extremely detailed maintenance plan which includes:
- Operating and maintenance manuals specific to each component.
- A sub-programme of checks to constantly monitor the qualitative and quantitative performance levels of the systems.
- Rigorous procedures for the as-built documentation and systematic testing (including in-factory testing) to ensure that every piece of installed machinery complies exactly with the design specifications.
Work in progress: the status of the construction sites
According to the latest updates from the site, work is proceeding at a rapid pace ahead of the Games’ opening on 21 August. To date, the tennis courts have been completed and the stands have already been erected. The modern building that will house the clubhouse and changing rooms is nearly complete in its main structure. In this final phase, the teams are busy completing the interior finishes, the fencing, the sports equipment and the external walkways, as well as the play area located at the entrance.
The site is therefore in the final stages of aesthetic and functional finishing, ready to be transformed from an international competition centre into a multi-purpose sports centre for the people of Taranto once the event has concluded.
Incide Engineering has built up solid experience in the sports infrastructure sector, as demonstrated by the CONI Sports Hall in Rome and other international projects. This experience has enabled the company to become an integral part of a highly qualified team, strengthening its position as a key player in the design of advanced technological systems for major public works in the Sports & Entertainment sector.
