Latest Review: "Super Borovets"

Latest Review: "Super Borovets"

BulgariaSki team

The territory of resort centralization “Samokov- Borovets- Beli Iskar” encloses the valley of Beli Iskar river to the west and the valley of Maritsa river to the east. The borders of the project are considered in correspondence with the borders of the land plots and those of the National Park. Today Borovets offers 17 perfectly maintained ski slopes serviced by wire lifts with a total length of 26 kilometres, situated on 1345- 2530 meters above the sea level. 25 segments are corresponding to the requirements for the organization of international competitions of higher class in the alpine competitions of slalom and giant slalom. Special traces for ski run and biathlon are already set in the resort. There are also two ski jump platforms 50 and 70 meters tall, serviced by one- seat lift on the territory of the resort. The ski platforms have to be renewed in order to make the vertical landing profile better. The optimal future organization of the ski zone in the resort- tourism localization Samokov- Borovets- Beli Iskar requires expansion and development of the already existing parts. All this has to be achieved in a special way, because of the National Park Rila and the implementation of the park's organizational regime. The project plans expansion of the ski zone in two directions- western and eastern and the development of the already existing parts by the constructing of new traces and wire lines. The number of wire lines will become 23 and their total length will be 37 490 meters. Thus the capacity of the equipment will become 29400 people per hour. %LIMG1“Samokov- Borovets- Beli Iskar” centralization offers the construction of the following tourism bodies, situated on different sea level: 1.Borovets- 1300- 1350 meters above the sea level with a capacity of 8000- 9000 beds. 2.Lower Borovets- 1100 meters above the sea level with a capacity of 6000- 7000 beds. It includes free terrains near the town of Samokov and Pashanitsa site. 3.Beli Iskar- Sokolets site- 1200- 1400 meters above the sea level with a capacity of 2000- 3000 beds. 4.Higher Borovets- on 1600 meters above the sea level, with a capacity of 1000- 2000 beds. This body will be situated on Gvardeiska meadow under the Sitnyakovo palace. %LIMG2The vicinity of Lower Borovets, between the Bistritsa and Lukovitsa rivers is a suitable terrain for the construction of a golf course with 18 holes. Another golf course is planned in the “Shiroka Polyana” site. Sport playgrounds, tennis courts and football fields, swimming pools and other attractions are planed to be constructed in the project. The higher mountain parts, where the ski zones are situated, will only host a daily bases, servicing the skiers, tearooms, ski rentals and medical stations. BulgariaSki team held a meeting with the mayor of Samokov on May 18th. We received more information on the development of the so called Super Borovets project directly from Mr Angel Nikolov. The whole project was developed by Samokov- Rila 2004 association. 51 per cent of the association is held by Kontract 99 and 29 % is part of the Municipality. Thus the municipal holds the right to play an important role in the decision making regarding the development of the project. The investments for “Super Borovets” project will reach 300 million BGN. The Bulgarian government will support the project by constructing the public infrastructure. A highway connecting Sofia- autobahn Trakia- Samokov and Borovets is also a major project which will provide easier access to the tourism sites. A southern encircling road will twice reduce the travel time from the southern border of Bulgaria. This project was considered by the National Investment Council since 28.02.2002. It came clear that the association has come a long way to the present situation. The project has an approved territorial plan and ecology assessment. The government has already approved a Conception for development of Northern Rila. Now the project is transforming the region into attractive investment site. As a result of the present development of the project the prices of land plots in the region rose dramatically. According to the mayor of Samokov the so called “Super Borovets project” will offer numerous opportunities for investors to make business in the site. Businessmen can use the already prepared plans which will be kindly provided by the Samokov- Rila 2004 association. As BulgariaSki.com already mentioned the resort will offer several bases on different sea levels, with different standard of accommodation and services. This will provide different choices for tourists to take. For the moment the active season in Borovets winter resort lasts 4.5 months, which is actually the longest winter season in Bulgaria. The favourable disposition of the resort and the unique natural resources are ideal prerequisite for the expansion of the active season in the site. The project developers plan to expand the season to 10 months. The summer season in the resort offers many opportunities for a active and healthy holiday, right in the heart of the National Park Rila. There are numerous trails, motocross routes, historical monuments and breathtaking views waiting to be absorbed by connoisseurs. The local terrain is also extremely suitable for the construction of a 18 hole golf course amidst the magnificent natural relief of the mountain. Actually the “Super Borovets” project plans the construction of two golf courses within its borders. The project has suffered a short delay from the beginning of this year, because of organizational problems after the sudden death of one of the major shareholders in the alliance- Emil Kulev. The mayor of Samokov Mr Angel Nikolov assured us that after the next meeting of the association on June 12, this year, the project will receive green light and its implementation will start. He expects that the first sod of the new cabin lift from Samokov to upper Borovets will be turned this summer. “Super Borovets” project plans to guarantee the comfort of wide range of tourists with different interests and needs. The whole conception for development and management of the natural resources of the mountain will be directed in the tourist's favour. That is why the association will control the future investments. Everyone who wants to invest in the project will have to follow the already prepared organizational plan, to avoid over- construction. The positive effects of the project are indisputable. This will inevitably lead to the reducing of the unemployment in the region. The new tourism site will offer numerous attractions and activities for the visitors. More investments will be directed for the preservation of natural resources of the mountain. The structural- territory plan aims to reach a maximum tourism loading while at the same time preserves the ecological balance and aesthetic harmony of the territory. To reach this effect the specialists have used an integral approach and the tourism function is being considered as an identity to the other traditional and contemporary functions on the territory and the preservation of the local environment.