'From initial scepticism to a project that will bring a new dimension to Novi Vinodolski' might as well be a title of the story about the new marina in the centre of Novi Vinodolski.
The local authorities have been announcing the marina for years, continually postponing the start of its construction. Project owners changed as well. The citizens of Novi Vinodolski shook their heads in disapproval, growing more and more suspicious and sceptical. When the project was taken over by GPP Mikić, the scepticism did not subside. Many townspeople would often comment by saying that the new marina is just a site for depositing construction material, and would become a real eyesore.As the construction progressed, the critics grew silent. Today it is clear that the new marina, practically in the centre of the town, will become the pride of Novi Vinodolski, reports Novi list on September 21, 2017.
Rooftop pool
When asked whether the construction of the marina is finished, the 'father' of the GPP Mikić company, Nikola Turčić, while strolling the site along with his son, the general manager of the company, the older Turčić replied cautiously: "Nothing is done until it is over," even though the construction work seems to be complete.
"Another month or two of construction works are ahead of us. The nautical section is done. We're still finishing up the interior of the facility, which will include a restaurant with swimming pool, shop, cafe, charter offices, hairdresser, 130-square-meter fitness centre, souvenir shop, laundry and three suites overlooking the marina. The biggest attraction will definitely be the rooftop swimming pool. A children's playground near the roundabout is also being constructed. Everything would have been finished by now if it wasn't for the subsequent reconstruction of the Žrnovnica water supply station nearby. The reconstruction is practically the first step in the mega project of the Novi-Crikvenica-Selce agglomeration. Better to do that reconstruction now, then later ransack the marina's new parking lot," concluded Turčić.
But, everything is easier knowing that the underwater and underground construction works are behind them, seeing that such works tend to hide unpleasant and costly surprises. Now, there are already about twenty ships moored. The marina will be equipped with a total of 204 berths.
Preliminary contracts
"We are signing preliminary contracts, for now, we will not sign any definitive contracts until we finish construction.We were at the boat show in Düsseldorf, and we're moving on to the present our services at other nautical fairs.It will surely take two to three years for us to get any recognition. Success doesn't come overnight, the same was with the Malin Hotel in Malinska," says Turčić ‘senior’ who knows a lot about the tourism sector, since his company also runs the abovementioned hotel.
Nikola's son points out that the most interested customers in the marina are the Austrian, German, Slovenian and Croatian sailors. Along with the sailing enthusiasts, the Turčić family also wants to attract the local folk from Novi Vinodolski as well as other nearby towns.
"We'll work all year. It is rare that the marina is in the town centre and we want to use that advantage. We want the marina and its facilities to be appealing to everyone, not just sailors. We see the marina as a new town square, where all people are welcome. We want our marina to become an integral part of the town. We will offer space for weddings and similar events," says GPP director Mikić.
Translated from Novi List
