Villanova reopens former Lorenzini school as new civic center

The former Lorenzini elementary school in Villanova is being repurposed as the Polo Lorenzini, a new civic and cultural center scheduled to open on September 26. The facility, which served the community from 1954 to 2004, will now host several social and inclusive initiatives.

Key features of the new center include a reuse center, a gym offering activities such as yoga and gentle gymnastics, a music association headquarters, and a recording studio. The site will also house a new local headquarters for the Coast Guard (Capitaneria di porto). A central component of the project is an inclusive kitchen designed to train young people with disabilities in pastry making; their products will be sold through the ‘Dolci Sapori’ bar and pastry shop.

Mayor Stefania Signorini has issued an appeal to former students, teachers, and staff who were part of the school between 1954 and 2004 to attend the inauguration. The municipality is also encouraging residents to share old class photographs to help document the history of the site.