Nis to grant 5.4 hectares of land for aquapark – Aquaterra Solutions prepared to invest EUR 9 million

The aquapark in Lozni Kalem, the construction of which has been expected for years, might, according to the latest decision of the City Council of Nis, become a reality soon. The study on granting 5.4 hectares on the location has been completed, and if the Government of Serbia gives the green light, a public invitation to potential investors should be placed in late June.

The investor, Aquaterra Solutions, which has built the water park in Budva, is interested in building a complex at Niska Banja as well, as confirmed by the letter of intent signed with the authorities of Nis in 2016. The city authorities therefore started preparing a study on the cost-effectiveness of granting the land. However, as they explain, this doesn't mean that another investor couldn't contact them and be awarded the parcel in case it offers better conditions.

– Anyone interested in building an aquapark in the location may answer the ad. What the interested investor is offering is the least we can get – they said at the City Council.

If the public invitation procedure ends during the summer, according to the announcements of city councilor Mihajlo Zdravkovic, the exterior features might be built as soon as next year.

– In the next three years, the investor should invest EUR 9 million and complete the entire complex – Zdravkovic said.

The aquapark, as they say at the Local Economic Development Office should have seven pools with waterslides and other features for children, a spa and wellness center. There would be jobs there for 40 people throughout the year, and another 80 could work there in the summer season. This will increase the employment rate in the territory of the Municipality of Niska Banja by 3.24%, which justifies the granting of the land, the Office says.

The granting of 5.4 hectares of land at Lozni Kalem to Aquaterra Solutions was also influenced by the fact that the planned aquapark tax revenues amount to RSD 310 million in three years, which exceeds the estimated value of the parcel, which costs around RSD 238 million.

Zdravkovic adds that the investor obliges to file banking guarantees equal to the value of the land, which means, as he says, that the City couldn't incur losses even if the aquapark was not built.