Alberto Zamperla’s planned new attraction in Venice, Italy has been met with suspicion by the mainstream media – but the head of ride manufacturer Antonio Zamperla s.p.a insists the project is very much a cultural hub and historical attraction rather than a tacky fairground.

Speaking to Attractions Management (p26), Zamperla argues that Venice is in need of a gateway attraction. “Where can you go in Venice to learn about its history?” he says. “The Italians love history – Venetians love history – and we want to give them the chance to find out more about this amazing place.”

Zamperla’s proposal for a new attraction drew criticism for supposedly being a theme park inappropriately located in a city of rich cultural heritage, but the designer insists that the four-hectare park, to be built on San Biagio Island in the Venetian Lagoon, will share the amazing story of the city and “celebrate and record its culture and traditions.”

The company has entered into a joint venture partnership with the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice to ensure historical accuracy and attempt to placate opponents. “Objections are coming mostly from the intellectuals,” he says. Meanwhile, support for the project includes an unnamed champion within the government, according to Zamperla.

Initial planning permission is currently being sought for the park, which would be located on land previously used as a rubbish incinerator. Zamperla estimates he would need to spend €8m (US$11m, £6.5m) to clean the site before development work could begin - but says any unexpected rise in cleanup costs could scupper the whole project.

Including these costs, the company is planning to spend approximately €80m (US$110m, £60.5m) on the project. Divided into three historical zones, the park would also include a large viewing wheel and a substantial theatre – something Zamperla says venice is lacking. The second phase of the project would see the redevelopment of a nearby area of wasteland as a garden.

If it goes ahead, Zamperla expects the park to attract 500,000 visitors a year, with an opening date of Mardi Gras 2017 “if things go well.”

– Italy is also set to add a €40m (US$55m, £33.4m) “foodie theme park” to its list of attractions, with the recently-announced Fico Eataly World set to open in the city of Bologna in November 2015.