Larnaca Salt Lake Park moves forward after 15 years as €2.6m project wins architectural competition

A €2.6 million environmental centre on Larnaca Salt Lake Park will move forward after a 15-year freeze, following the completion of an architectural competition that drew 22 proposals.

The project centres on an Environmental Information Centre that will serve as a hub for information and study on Cyprus’s most important wetland.

The project spans more than 40,000 square metres. The site contains buildings from a former leper colony that will be demolished to make way for the development.

Larnaca Municipality recently announced the results of the jury evaluation, awarding first prize to a team of five architects: Charis Aristodimou, Konstantinos Kelpis, Marios Kyriakou, Louis Loizou and Yiotis Tsangaris.

The next stage is securing the required permits before tendering construction work. Work is expected to start within the next year, with Larnaca Municipality serving as the contracting authority.

The Environmental Information Centre and its surrounding area will cover approximately 15,000 square metres. The centre will showcase the ecological and environmental character of the protected area, with educational programmes planned for visitor groups.

Exhibits will feature ecological, environmental and cultural elements of the area, including the Kamares aqueduct.

The building will include a shop and ticket office, screening and lecture hall, environmental education room, exhibits hall, and a café with outdoor dining.

The remaining area will be developed under strict environmental conditions set out in the competition terms. Spaces are planned for educational and recreational purposes as well as bird watching. Access will be created to the salt lake path.

Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com