On Saturday, June 14, the grand opening ceremony for the renovated former GSP Stadium was held in Nicosia. This historic site served as the heart of the Cypriot capital's sporting, cultural, and social life for many decades.
The new multifunctional park marks the start of a new chapter in the city's development.
Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides and Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Pruntsos attended the ceremony. The evening began with an audiovisual retrospective recounting the history of the GSP club. This was followed by welcoming speeches from the mayor of Nicosia and the president of Cyprus, as well as video messages from European Commission Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto and EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Kosta Katsia. Project architect Yannis Kizis presented the concept and features of the new complex design. Musical performances by a string and wind quartet accompanied the event.
The modernized area of the former GSP stadium has been transformed into a contemporary public space focused on people, sustainability, and harmony with nature. The new city park has become the “green lungs” of Nicosia — a place for relaxation, walks, cultural events, and public gatherings.
"We are opening not just a park, but a symbolic space where history, culture, and modernity converge," Prunzos emphasized in his speech. Prunzos emphasized in his speech that this is the result of vision, planning, and fruitful cooperation.
Christodoulides, in turn, noted that the reconstruction of the GSP stadium is a striking example of the government's priorities in sustainable urban development. He mentioned the importance of creating infrastructure that combines aesthetic value, functionality, and environmental stewardship.
The President of Cyprus said that every element of the project has been designed with attention to sustainability, human comfort, and the preservation of historical memory.
The total cost of reconstructing the former GSP stadium was approximately €30 million. Funds for this large-scale project were allocated by the government of Cyprus, the municipality of Nicosia, and the European Union through the THALIA 2021–2027 cohesion policy program.
The president expressed his gratitude to the European Commission and its representatives, as well as the architects, engineers, and other specialists involved in the project. He noted that the old stadium, which opened in 1902 and hosted significant sporting and cultural events, has been given a new lease on life. The new public space includes an amphitheater, a cultural center, cafés, shops, an underground parking lot connected to the public transportation system, and a Citizen Service Center.
The president emphasized that the participation of city residents played a key role in implementing the project. The project was developed by taking into account the opinions of citizens who were surveyed during public consultations. He also highlighted the contribution of former Nicosia mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis, who initiated the design of the space. At the end of the ceremony, Christodoulidis emphasized the importance of cooperation between the state, local government, and civil society.
"We are building a modern European city that combines respect for history, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to the well-being of every resident." GSP is more than just a park. It is a living symbol of our shared future," the president concluded.
