Roberto Badaracco, you have long been one of the best known and most active politicians in Lugano and Ticino. Can you tell us how this commitment of yours was born and what were the most important roles you held?
«This year I celebrate twenty years of active political activity at municipal but also cantonal level. Looking back, many memories come to mind, exciting moments but also bitter disappointments. I perceive all the effort, commitment and enthusiasm that I have always shown. Politics is like life: a continuous battle.
My interest in public affairs began as a child, when I followed political debates on television. I liked the comparisons between personalities of caliber who fascinated and demonstrated great capacity for persuasion.
At the beginning I wanted to create a solid working base and I prioritized my training by obtaining the lawyer and notary licenses. Then I opened a law and notary firm which I still run together with some colleagues. At the same time I did several years of military service, ending with the rank of colonel of the General Staff. They forged my character and shaped me as a man, I believe by providing me with the tools to face the difficult path in politics.
Almost by chance in 2002 they included me on the PLR list for the 2003 cantonal elections. That's where it all began. I did a very intense campaign traveling throughout the canton. I became passionate and in 2004 I gave my availability for the municipal elections to Lugano. I made a good grade and entered the City Council for the first time. Immediately as deputy group leader and subsequently for another 8 years as PLR group leader. At the same time I entered cantonal politics and was elected to the Ticino Grand Council in 2011, with reconfirmation in 2015.
After 12 years in the city legislature in 2016 I was elected to the municipality. Following the death of Marco Borradori, in 2021 I assumed the position of Deputy Mayor which I currently hold. Now I am back for a third legislature, after 8 intense years in the city executive.
Doing politics is a mission, it's not a job. It is first and foremost serving society and the community in which one lives. It really stimulates me to contribute to shaping the city of the present and future, beautiful, livable and on a human scale. But even more it stimulates me to implement projects that will bring benefits to future generations. Lugano is a small, magnificent jewel that deserves continuous commitment and total dedication."
To begin the discussion, a general question imposes itself as a priority: what is your vision of the Lugano of the future and what do you think its role should be in the Ticino and Swiss context?
«Lugano is a city with enormous potential, perhaps still unexpressed. It has all the characteristics and framework conditions to excel from an economic, social, cultural, sporting, tourist, university and scientific profile. It also has a landscape and a lake of unparalleled beauty. It is a jewel, a pearl set in the south of the Alps, with an enviable Mediterranean climate.
We have multiple strengths: we are in Switzerland and compared to neighboring Italy we have tranquility and security, the economy is thriving and the quality of life is very high.
Lugano's role must be that of a bridge, of conjunction, between different realities, habits and customs.
We speak Italian but we are Swiss. We represent Swiss qualities but with an unmistakable Latin spirit. We can become a unique case worldwide if we are able to combine the identity of the north of the Alps with that of Italy and Lombardy. No one else has such an exclusive blend. Of course, we must all work together, public and private, to achieve bold goals. You have to dare, believe in it and above all work hard to excel."
Let's examine the main projects in the pipeline that should renew the face of Lugano. At what point are we with the sports center and what can you tell us about the construction of the new Arena?
«The construction site for the new stadium has entered its operational phase. We plan to inaugurate the structure within the first half of 2026. A little later it will be the turn of the sports hall. For all sports associations it is certainly a period of suffering due to various inconveniences, but they are demonstrating a great spirit of adaptation because they will soon have completely new structures.
The PSE was a big gamble, difficult but won with a very clear referendum. At the beginning few believed in this project. We tried to convince people of its usefulness not only for sport, but above all for the development of an important sector of the city. We have worked hard on this dossier and now, with private investors, we are completing it on schedule.
I am sure that when we inaugurate the stadium and the sports hall, as happened with the LAC, no one will have anything left to say. Indeed, the citizens of Lugano will be very proud of these sports facilities, available to youth movements and the many sports associations present in the city. These centers will create important socio-economic growth."
Among the major projects for the Lugano of the future, the conference center is the one that seems to be marking time a bit. What is still missing to finally give the city a modern Conference Center?
«I am firmly convinced of the need for a new modern and functioning conference centre. Already today we are an important destination for conferences and events at a national and international level. We cannot think of growing with the current structures that are now saturated, old and inefficient. Here too, without the creation of this center, a leap in quality will be impossible.
I am sure that it will bring a considerable economic impact since thousands of people will be present in the area during these events throughout the year. Hotel facilities, restaurants and catering will benefit, as will goods, services and trade. Before Christmas the Lugano City Council said yes to this conference centre, despite making some distinctions, and this gives us hope for the future. Now we need to continue with the next steps: have a concrete project and conform the master plan accordingly."
You are President of the LAC Board of Directors. After 8 years in which extraordinary successes were achieved, what strategies are you using to face the new 2024/28 mandate?
«The last 8 years of the LAC are the story of an incredible success of the most important cultural center in Ticino. Excellent and continually growing results, with the data from the last season the best ever. The cultural quality of the offers and productions proposed is very high and this positions us at a national and international level.
Behind all this there is profound work at all levels. The LAC has equipped itself with new customer evaluation and control tools which are giving excellent results. In the last two years, much focus has been placed on innovation, interaction and listening to the public, optimizing all the company's business processes and services. Profound renovations have affected the ticket office, reservations, reception, purchasing processes, before and after events, catering combined in various forms, the occupancy of rooms, marketing strategies for the search for a varied audience .
The launch of the new subscription at CHF 199.- for the entire season certainly contributed to this success. To date there are over 1000 subscribers and they continue to grow.
With the new 2024-2028 mandate, the desire is to increasingly create the "LAC experience", that is, wanting to make the customer fond of the facility and make him feel at home, from the first moment he enters the center until he leaves it" .
Among the projects that are particularly close to your heart, you fought hard for Lugano to have its own City of Music where the institutions operating in this sector could be concentrated. Why is this project so important for the city's cultural life?
«I think it is a beautiful project, a mosaic made up of various pieces, which will host numerous actors starting from the Conservatory. We really want to see the birth of a musical center of cantonal expertise and create important synergies. We will thus take a decisive step towards Lugano becoming a city of culture in all respects.
A large structure where, in addition to offering training activities at all levels, the entire musical supply chain will be represented, from research to original creation, from production to presentation to the public, from the protection of media to their valorisation. We are excited to be able to realize it in the coming years."
I imagine that your professional and political commitments leave you very little time to pursue your personal interests: but what are the activities that you are most passionate about?
«In fact I live with an eternal dilemma: will I finally be able to dedicate myself to my personal interests one day? I immediately understood that as long as I am in politics this will be impossible. But I'm not complaining: it's a very rich period of life where I experience unique and unrepeatable experiences. I am aware of it and appreciate it all, knowing that one day this too will end.
Even if they are related to my business, I like to attend cultural and sporting events. When I have time I practice swimming, gym and cycling. I love walks and travel, and reading especially with historical themes. And I cannot miss being with the people who are dearest to me. This is priceless!
