Sports center on the Danube near Apatin - Former football player seeks co-investor for the construction of complex

If an idea of a former football player comes to life, Apatin may get a multifunctional sports center as early as in 2012. Aleksandar Smiljanic, football player who played in the first and second leagues of former Yugoslavia, has decided to open a sports hall on the very bank of the Danube, across the road from an international marina, comprising indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, futsal, as well as a football pitch and outdoor tennis courts.

In order to be able to completely implement his idea, Smiljanic is seeking a partner to co-invest in this complex.

- I have all the necessary documents and every required building permit, and I am now seeking an investor interested in investing in this highly-promising project. There is no similar complex anywhere nearby, so that it would be a sports center for the entire Western Backa region. Our area would then be able to join Mini-Maxi league – Aleksandar Smiljanic explains for eKapija.

This sports center would comprise a 32x20m arena for basketball, volleyball and tennis, and a three-level facility next to the arena - locker rooms and a gym would be situated on the first level, a catering facility would be opened on the middle level, whereas a playground for kids would be located on the third level. There should also be a 45x25m futsal arena with artificial grass next to it.

- These three facilities would make up a whole, enabling people at the catering facility to watch the activity in both arenas. What should also be built within this complex is an outdoor football pitch with floodlights and stands, as well as tennis courts – Smiljanic explained.

The value of this sports center is estimated at EUR 800,000, and the construction works could be carried out in phases, said our interlocutor.

- The lot spans as much as one hectare, meaning that a potential investor can have some other facilities built on it as well. I spoken to some interested investors from Slovenia, Hungary, Canada, but nothing has been specified yet. I expect us to reach certain agreements during this winter and the construction to kick off in 2012 – said Smiljanic.

Our interlocutor pointed out that he would also apply for a grant from the EU funds for that project.

- I founded a non-government organization for sports and physical education in order to apply for a grant from the EU funds to finance this sports project easier.

The author of a preliminary design for this project is Miroslav Jorgacevic, architect at Sombor-based Jorgas.

S.O.