Veliko Tarnovo municipality gets the Motel Dam back
Veliko Tarnovo finally managed to take back the tenure of the emblematic Motel Dam. Tides of investors are pressing their demands for the exclusive right to operate, maintain and carry out their investment plans. Most of them are willing to build a restaurant with panoramic views, construct outside seating and eating areas and offer different water sport activities like jet skiing and rowing. The dam is just outside Veliko Tarnovo, on the main arterial road Sofia-Varna. It was left unutilized for years and town authorities didn’t have access to it because of its previous user. Veliko Tarnovo municipality is back in possession of the dam and is waiting for the position of a Special Parliamentary Commission as to whether the exploitation of the dam should be granted at an auction or by a concession.
There is already an offer by a Sofia based entrepreneur who is willing to take the reservoir by a concession agreement. He is planning an investment of 300 000 lv but at the background of a promise of at least 10 year contract. He intends to stock the dam with fish and to set up special zones for sport fishing as well as picnic areas and a camping site. The recreational complex will be complemented by a fish grill restaurant situated right by the dam itself. Kayaks and paddle boats will be located at another section of the reservoir.
The Parliamentary Commission has the last word now – if they allow the dam to be granted at an auction and not by a concession, the procedure will be much swifter and cheaper and the winning bidder will be able to implement and realize their project much faster.
