Projects worth over €12m planned for Oroklini

Projects estimated to exceed €12 million, including an open-air amphitheatre and a sports centre, are in the works for the Oroklini Municipal District, according to Deputy Mayor Neofytos Fakontis.

“With the merger of the Oroklini community with the Municipality of Larnaca as part of the Local Government reform, we have advanced, with the support of the Mayor, the Municipal Council, and the Technical Services, the maturation of projects that will be announced, and for which we will seek several million euros from European funds,” he told the Cyprus News Agency.

“The projects include the redevelopment of the Old Neighbourhoods (of Voroklini), the creation of a 1,000-seat open-air amphitheatre in the heart of Oroklini, and the construction of a sports centre along with a multifunctional space to meet the community’s needs,” he said, noting that the total cost of these projects is expected to exceed €12 million.

Larnaca – Dhekelia road phase three

Regarding the third phase of the Larnaca – Dhekelia road, Fakontis stated that “it started about a year and a half ago, is currently underway, and is being implemented in the area of the Lebay Hotel. The road is expected to be delivered in March. It covers the section starting from the Oroklini Police Station and extending beyond the Lebay Hotel,” he noted.

He added that this road “will feature four traffic lanes, service roads on both sides, four roundabouts, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parking spaces, and green areas. The total cost of the project, including VAT, is expected to exceed €20 million.”

Breakwaters in Oroklini and Pervolia

Regarding the breakwaters being constructed in the Oroklini coastal area, Fakontis explained that “initially, we proceeded with the reconstruction of three existing breakwaters and then with the construction of seven more. Currently, we are working on the seventh and final breakwater, which is expected to be completed by late February or early March”.

“This project protects the beach and creates new beachfront areas, with a total cost of €4 million,” he continued.

Concerning the breakwaters in the Pervolia area, Fakontis noted that “the breakwaters in Oroklini are part of a unified plan by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works, which includes the construction of breakwaters in Pervolia as well. The approved package covers both Oroklini and Pervolia, where the coastal erosion problem is more severe, with the cost of the Pervolia breakwaters being approximately twice that of Oroklini.”

Oroklini coastal footpath

Regarding the Oroklini coastal footpath, Fakontis stated that “the final phase is in the tendering stage. The Department of Town Planning has approved the latest updated plans, and we are in the final stage of obtaining consents from property owners to proceed with the tender announcement,” he said.

“This project, according to estimates by architects and consultants, is expected to cost around €4 million,” he added.

Tree planting initiatives

Regarding the tree planting initiatives throughout 2024, the Deputy Mayor mentioned that “a total of approximately 1,000 trees were planted, with 730 on the beach and the remaining within the core of Oroklini, with financial support from the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company.”

“The funding provided by Larnaca Tourism Development was also used to purchase two boats that were placed on the beach,” he added.

Furthermore, he announced that “with the assistance of the Larnaca Tourism Board and the Municipality of Larnaca, an additional 2,000 trees are planned to be planted in March, covering the beach and the entire tourist area.”