Recreation with Arabs in Leskovac - Luxury hotel, sports fields, eco-park and ZOO on 86 ha

An exclusive hotel, sports facilities and fields, eco-park, artificial lake, ZOO, horse farm... are only some of the contents of a magnificent tourist and sports complex that Arabian company Emirates Power Contracting & General Maintenance plans to build within next two years in the location of the famous picnic grounds in Leskovac - Pasina Cesma (Pasha's Fountain).

According to the people in the municipality of Leskovac, this is the first investment in Serbia from that part of the world. In addition to foreign sportsmen and tourists, the citizens of Leskovac will also be able to enjoy the rich contents of the future complex. Emirates Power is going to invest 10 million euros in the complex on 86 ha, which is 8 km away from Leskovac.

In late August, cleaning of the terrain started in three locations where the first hotel and sports courts should be built prior to May 1st, 2011. As people in the municipality of Leskovac announced, the whole complex is expected to be completed on May 1st, 2012. This hotel and sports and recreation center will be able to receive up to 1,000 visitors per day. Energosistem Goguric company is in charge of the project and construction of the complex.

Tourists, sportsmen and hosts

The plan is that the hotel complex in the location of Pasina Cesma comprises a five-star luxury hotel and a sports hotel, while special attention will be paid to the variety of contents, the quality of services, and animation of guests.

- The luxury hotel will be big enough for 140 guests and it will be intended for tourists. In addition to standard contents, it will also comprise a spa center, a restaurant with a balcony, as well as a space for sports events and entertainment. The sports hotel will have 120 beds, and it will be intended for sports trainings, contests, and sports schools for kids and youth. It will also be equipped with all required contents for these activities - Deja Krstic, the Manager of the building sector of Energosistem Coguric, announced.

According to the project whose author is that Leskovac-based company, construction of a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool is also in the pipeline. The complex will include two football fields - the main field and the auxiliary field with stands and accompanying contents. Outdoor sports fields will be available for basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis players, as well as for those who want to test their skills in these sports. This complex will also include a space for the lovers of extreme sports.

For recreation and love of nature

Eco-park should be the central and the most effective part of the whole complex. It is intended for visitors of the complex, citizens and excursionists. The basic idea is organization of the existing space and elements, with maximum preservation of woods and vegetation in this area.

Decorative and esthetical function will be achieved with the planting of several types of nice-looking plants, and there will also be adequate fountains, effective curtains on paths, decorative candelabras, benches and other elements of park furniture. When it comes to the paths through this green oasis, harmonization of walks and trim tracks with the configuration of terrain is in the pipeline. Beside adequate pavements, there will also be clearings for sun-bathing, family and group snacks, and recreational surfaces. Also, the park should be ennobled by water surfaces that have a positive influence on the mood of people.

- This section should also include an ethno restaurant whose specialties will be offered to about 400 visitors of the complex - says Deja Krstic from Energosistem Coguric.

She points out that a horse farm with all necessary facilities for keeping 20 horses will be built in one part of the complex, on about 2 ha. Construction of a ZOO for about 1,000 animal species at the surface of about 10 ha is also in the pipeline.

Arabs interested in Leskovac

Sasa Pesic, the Head of the Leskovac Mayor Cabinet and a member of the City Council, speaks for eKapija about the idea of construction of such complex in Leskovac and how the investors have been found:

- We got the idea for such complex when we have realized how great tourist potentials this area has in spite of the years-long absence of investments. At the Universiade in Belgrade, thanks to Iraqi Charge d'Affaires, I was introduced to the delegation of Oman and United Arab Emirates and I showed them our project. And that is how everything began.

According to him, 70 citizens of Leskovac will get jobs in the complex in the first phase, while another 70 people will be employed in the second phase.

Pesic says that the construction of such complex is of great significance for the region of Leskovac, as well as for entire Serbia.

- In addition to employment of people and great importance for the economy of Serbia, opening of the complex at Pasina Cesma will also benefit numerous agricultural manufacturers in the vicinity of Leskovac.

Sasa Pesic says that it is already for certain that Arabian sportsmen will come to this complex for preparations because the price of services offered by Leskovac is 30% lower than anywhere abroad.

Pesic has announced a visit of businessmen from Leskovac and the Mayor to United Arab Emirates at the end of the year and, on that occasion, they will present their businesses and the investment opportunities of the Leskovac region to local businessmen.

Leskovac attracts large number of visitors from the country and abroad as a city with numerous manifestations such as Leskovac's Barbecue Week (Rostiljijada), trade fair and summer carnival. This tourist and sports complex will have a unique offer in this region, while its rich contents will also be of great regional importance.

S.O.