Portimão Câmara has awarded the 150 million euros contract for the concept, financing and construction of the future the city’s Sports Complex to Lena Construções.
Certain criteria had to be met in the proposals for this ambitious project, including an urban development model and economic sustainability of the project and complex once it has been constructed.
Proposals from Amorim Imobiliária and Sociedade Cerca do Colégio failed to inspire Portimão Câmara and they have offered no appeals since the announcement was made.
The proposal obliged candidates to include a plan for green areas, detailed infrastructure plans, as well as the concept for the sports complex, with an Olympic-sized swimming pool and football stadium.
Lena Construções has worked in the region for seven years in real estate and public works for câmaras, so it had local knowledge prior to applying for the contract. Plans for the future, aside from this large scale project, include building an upmarket hotel in the Algarve, but the name has yet to be revealed.
Construction
Covering an area of almost 90 hectares, the sports complex will be constructed at Barranco do Rodrigo. A residential area, composed of 200 homes, will be constructed at an estimated cost of 40 million euros. There will also be a commercial zone, where 70 million euros has been set aside for a shopping centre with cinemas, restaurants, 70 shops, a large supermarket and underground parking.
Around 40 million euros will be designated by Portimão Câmara for the infrastructure of green areas, swimming pool, pavilion and the stadium. The green areas will be spread across more than 11 hectares of land and the company said the priority for this land is to use the natural terrain patterns. Botanical gardens, with exotic and local flora and fauna and children’s play areas will make the area an enjoyable place for residents to explore.
It is possible that due to the scale of the project and potential financial uncertainties in the future, Lena Construções could hand the commercial phase to a different firm to manage. The first phase, where the infrastructure and sports facilities will be constructed, is due for completion within three years, . The commercial and residential zones are expected to be fully functional by 2012, a total of 3,400 direct and indirect jobs could be created from this project.
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