Stadium renamed in honor of Dominique Ventimila

The Erbajolo stadium in Bastia was officially renamed the Dominique Ventimila stadium during a ceremony on Wednesday, marking the occasion with the unveiling of a new synthetic turf. The event brought together many former members of the Cercle Athlétique Bastiais (CAB), a club founded in 1920, to honor Ventimila, a key figure in the club’s history who passed away in 2011.

Ventimila's legacy celebrated by former players

Former players and club members, including Didier Grassi and others, praised Ventimila’s contributions to the CAB. Grassi described how Ventimila personally scouted young talent and helped shape the club’s identity over nearly three decades. His dedication as a volunteer left a lasting impact on the team and its community.

Community leaders highlight the symbolic and practical significance

Carulina Colombani, vice president of the Bastia Agglomeration Community, emphasized that the ceremony symbolized both remembrance and progress. The renaming honored Ventimila, while the new synthetic turf addressed practical needs for the club. She noted that the community had listened to the clubs’ concerns and now aimed to help them thrive.

Modernization of the stadium includes eco-friendly materials

The new synthetic turf was installed after a three-month project that cost 651,392 €, funded by the Bastia Agglomeration Community and the Corsican Collectivity. The upgrade included removing old grass, reshaping the field, improving drainage, and using olive pit-based filling instead of traditional rubber granules. This change reflects a commitment to sustainability and modernization.

More stadium names to follow in the region

Louis Pozzo di Borgo, president of the CAB, stated that the Erbajolo stadium’s renaming is part of a broader effort to highlight the sports history of the region. Other stadiums and facilities, such as the Furiani stadium and the Volpajo stadium, have already been named after notable figures. He hinted that more names will be added in the future to honor local sports history and community identity.