Abandoned spa becomes modern complex – EUR 1.9 million required for construction of tourist and rehabilitation center Palanacki Kiseljak to set aside

(the future look of the complex)

Palanacki Kiseljak spa resort is located some 80 km southeast of Belgrade, near Smederevska Palanka. It is rich in sources of thermal-mineral water with extraordinary healing characteristics which are used by the Department of Physical Medicine of the general hospital Stefan Visoki. Although good features of Kiseljak were discovered by old Romans, rehabilitation of the space is necessary.

In order to prevent further deterioration of the spa complex, in October, the general hospital Stefan Visoki participated in a major investment conference in Moscow, where it presented preliminary designs for the revitalization – adaptation of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the construction of a new hotel – stationary which would represent a unique functional unit of the tourist and rehabilitation center Palanacki Kiseljak, Bratislav Djordjevic from the general hospital Stefan Visoki says in an interview with eKapija.

Hospital and hotel connected by gangway

According to the project, complex would cover an area of 100 acres. The existing facility of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation occupying 940 square meters should be reconstructed completely in order to have all the features of a modern healing center.

The new hotel-stationary of B category on 2,250 square meters with 70 beds will be built near the specialized hospital. The hotel should feature a restaurant which would, apart from the main hall, have two cafés with additional multimedia facilities. Apart from that, the project calls for the construction of tennis, basketball and futsal courts on 1,000 m2.

According to our interlocutor, the new hotel – stationary and the existing building of the Stefan Visoki hospital will be connected by a “heated tunnel” - a gangway, which will allow for comfortable communication between these two facilities in the winter period.

Apart from accommodation units, the hotel would also offer fun, recreation and rehabilitation facilities. The center would feature a swimming pool with thermal water, a sauna, kinezi therapy, electric therapy, underwater massage in tubs, internet café and a shop.

Partner needed for hotel construction

According to a Feasibility Study prepared by the Stefan Visoki hospital, the project value is estimated at EUR 1,906,998.

- A total of EUR 350,000 would be set aside for the adaptation and rehabilitation of the existing facility of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and it is also necessary to provide EUR 1.556.998 for the construction of the hotel-stationary – our interlocutor explains.

Apart from that, the hospital is counting on EUR 240.000 from the Investments and Export Promotion Agency for the employment of 30 people. The Stefan Visoki hospital is expecting the Ministry of Health to provide EUR 100,000 and the ministry in charge of tourism some 20,000 EUR through subsidies as well as additional support for tourism development projects.

- In order to fully tap into the health and tourist potential of the spa, i.e. to build the hotel, it is necessary to set up a successful public-private partnership – Djordjevic points out.

The planned implementation period is 18 months, and the investment is expected to pay off in nine years. The hotel would employ 30 people, while new hires are also expected at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation due to the expansion of rehabilitation services.

- The overall offer of the tourist and rehabilitation center would target a large number of potential customers from the neighboring municipalities: Smederevska Palanka, Velika Plana, Smederevo, Pozarevac, Svilajnac, Lapovo, Batocina, Kragujevac, Raca, Topola – eKapija's interlocutor stresses and adds that this area is rich in natural beauties that would make the visitors’ stay complete. Among them are Kudrecko Lake, Punisava and Vlaskodolsko Lake, Mikulja forest...

I.M.