Nikos Chardalias, the regional governor of Attica, has signed decisions to fund 11 new projects to build, upgrade and improve municipal sports facilities across ten municipalities, at a total public cost of 15.54 million euros.
The projects fall under a call for proposals in the Regional Development Programme (PPA) of Attica 2026-2030, which is financed through the national arm of Greece's Public Investment Development Programme.
The ten municipalities benefiting are Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Agia Varvara, Aigaleo, Ilion, Kallithea, Lavreotiki, Papagou-Cholargos, Petroupoli, Saronikos and Chaidari. The work ranges from building new venues to reconstructing pitches and athletics tracks, replacing playing surfaces, upgrading locker rooms and sanitary and electromechanical infrastructure, installing modern lighting, supplying sports equipment, and fitting air-supported domes over some venues.
Chardalias said each project had its own distinct footprint, with some creating new sports facilities and others restoring existing infrastructure used daily by athletes, clubs, schools, children and citizens of all ages. He said the common thread across all the works was safety, functionality, accessibility and energy efficiency, so that municipalities could offer better services to everyone.
He said the regional authority had prioritised upgrading first-tier local sports infrastructure from the outset, since these facilities are a basic part of daily life in Attica's neighbourhoods, where children train and sports clubs operate. Working closely with municipal authorities, he said, the region identifies priorities and secures funding for mature projects with a clear social benefit, aiming to turn every available euro into a project with a measurable result for residents.
On Greece's 2021-2027 ESPA funding round, Chardalias said Attica had risen from eighth to first place nationally in the absorption of European funds among 22 regional and sectoral programmes over two and a half years. He said that ranking only had real value once resources were quickly and effectively converted into projects reaching every neighbourhood. He added that after the inclusion of the 11 new projects, consistency, close cooperation and systematic monitoring were now needed so the work could be delivered as soon as possible and as safely as possible for local communities.
Pools and stadiums among the biggest projects
The largest single project is a 5 million euro indoor swimming pool in Agia Varvara, a new bioclimatic training pool with a five-lane tank on a 1,458.54 square metre plot, alongside locker rooms, a medical office, a cafeteria and administrative space. Mayor Lambros Michos called it a significant day for the city, adding that projects of this scale improve quality of life, particularly in western Athens, which he said still experiences a kind of environmental inequality that the Chardalias administration's balancing policies are gradually easing.
In Chaidari, 1.9 million euros will fund maintenance and energy upgrades at the municipal swimming pool and football pitch of the First Sports Centre, plus an air-supported dome over a school courtyard sports area. Mayor Michalis Selekos said the works answered longstanding requests now moving into implementation with regional funding.
Ilion will receive 2.2 million euros to reconstruct its municipal stadium inside Antonis Tritsis Park, including new synthetic turf covering 6,200 square metres, a 5,200 square metre athletics track surface, new LED lighting, repaired stands and upgraded drainage. Mayor Andriana Alevizou said the project answered a years-long need and moved from planning into action, thanking the region for its cooperation.
Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero will get 1.5 million euros for equipment to maintain and upgrade sports venues at two secondary schools, two primary schools, two indoor gymnasiums, a learning pool and an open football pitch. Mayor Stavros Tsirbas said residents deserved modern, safe facilities and thanked Chardalias for the support.
Pitches and tracks upgraded across the region
Aigaleo will receive 1.7 million euros to reconstruct the open sports facilities at the "Eva Christodoulou" municipal athletic centre, covering 13,500 square metres. Mayor Lambros Sklavounos said the funding would create modern, safe and functional spaces for athletes and clubs.
Kallithea's "Grigoris Lambrakis" municipal stadium will get 659,680 euros for a new certified synthetic athletics surface of about 4,600 square metres, new long jump equipment and new track curbing. Mayor Kostas Askounis called it a substantive investment for a city with limited athletics facilities.
Saronikos will receive 682,000 euros to upgrade the Anavyssos football field, named after Vasilis Trochidis, and the Palaia Fokaia ground, including safety netting, a jump pit, a tartan lane, a 100-seat stand, upgraded basketball and tennis courts and LED lighting. Mayor Dimitris Papachristou said the fields would be transformed for the clubs and people who keep local sport alive.
Petroupoli will get 419,368 euros to install new synthetic turf across 7,600 square metres at the Alkyones field. Mayor Vaggelis Simou said the project was especially important for children's sport and that similar works were planned at other facilities.
Papagou-Cholargos will receive 534,000 euros for a prefabricated above-ground swimming pool at least 20 by 12.5 by 1.35 metres, with five lanes, at the "Vasileios Xydis" sports centre, plus locker rooms accessible to people with disabilities and heat-pump water heating. Mayor Ilias Apostolopoulos said the project would strengthen infrastructure for the municipality's active sports community.
Lavreotiki secured two grants: 449,999 euros to replace the synthetic turf at the "Giorgos Rafias" field in Lavrio, and 492,503 euros for an air-supported dome at the Keratea indoor gymnasium. Mayor Dimitris Loukas said the works met longstanding requests from local sports clubs and would benefit hundreds of children and young athletes in Lavrio and Keratea.
