Rome's Calatrava Vele to remain unfinished for 2025 Jubilee

The iconic Vele (Sails) of the Città dello Sport in Rome's Tor Vergata suburb, designed by Santiago Calatrava, will not be fully completed in time for the Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee. Originally conceived for the 2009 World Aquatics Championships, construction halted in 2009-2010 after costs ballooned from an initial €60 million to €240 million in debt. Only the swimming stadium (nicknamed 'shark fin') and a basketball/volleyball arena were partially built, with no functional use except as a film set for Suburra and Six Underground. A new decree (DPCM) of June 8, 2023, allocates €70 million for three interventions: €13 million for static testing and decay prevention of existing structures, €37 million for partial functionalization of the Palasport (as an open-air arena without its second sail roof), and €20 million for green spaces and pilgrim reception on 50 surrounding hectares. Work, delayed from June, is now set to begin between summer and autumn 2023, overseen by the Agenzia del Demanio. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, also Government Commissioner for the Jubilee, hinted at future use in Rome's Expo 2030 bid. The project, first presented in 2005 under Mayor Walter Veltroni, has become a symbol of abandonment.