Through extensive capital expenditures spent on infrastructure and modernization the Polish mountain resort Szczyrk and Silesian Amusement Park in the Polish town of Chorzów are entering the so-called New era of Szczyrk and the New era of Silesian Amusement Park. On April 29, 2017 Silesian Amusement Park opened its gates to the public with new attractions, a renovated main entry gate, a new ticket office, stores, a stylish cafe, and the new brand, LEGENDIA. The renovation of the oldest Polish amusement park is now well underway. Last year visitors could try out the new Diamond River and got to know the first legend of Skarbnik – the good ghost of mines. During the last year’s fall the pedestrian zone got recoated; new greenery was planted; and at the moment works are finishing on the key magnet of the season – Lech Coaster. This most important attraction will be presented to the public on July 1. The experience on the Lech Coaster will begin already before boarding the ride carts in the media room, where a multimedia screening (preshow) will be shown to the visitors about the legend of the founder of Poland – Lech and his companions. TMR is cooperating on the production of the preshow with the most prestigious Polish film studio, Platige Image, which has been nominated for an Oscar award. This is the first time such a preshow will be presented in the region of Central and Eastern Europe since so far it has been known only in the world’s largest parks. The whole concept of Legendia comes from the magic world of legends, the varied Polish history, and through its transformation it builds an amusement park of a European modern format. Investments into the development of Legendia during this financial year 2016/17 total 22 mil. euros.
The Szczyrk mountain resort (SON/Szczyrkowski Ośrodek Narciarski S.A.) is awaiting significant investments into infrastructure. Outdated transportation systems will be replaced with new and modern ones, and transportation will get more efficient. Through the modernization the resort will gradually gain a variety of dining services, ski equipment rentals, sports stores, i.e. the full ancillary service, which will boost Szczyrk’s image as a major ski resort. Investments in the amount of 35 mil. euros are planned by the beginning of the winter season 2017/18. Thus, before the season the resort in the Polish Beskyds will get a new 10-person gondola in the location of Parking U Kowalskiego – Hala Skrzyczeńska; a 6-person chair lift cableway in the location of Solisko – Hala Skrzyczeńska; a 6-person chair lift cableway in the location of Solisko – Wierch Pośredni; and a blue ski track from Hala Pośrednia to Solisko connecting these two locations for beginner skiers since so far this part of the resort has been missing an easier blue track. The project includes a construction of snowmaking and a retention water reservoir.
At the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 TMR completed investments totaling 11.2 mil. euros. Out of that key projects included a cableway in the location of Krupová-Kosodrevina in Jasná, new snowmaking, two new track-grooming vehicles, and plenty of other operating investments.
The resort of Jasná Nízke Tatry is awaiting the completion of Hotel Pošta**** and its grand opening on June 23. During the past winter visitors could try out the ambiance of the newly opened hotel restaurant ANGUS, inspired by American cuisine. The total investment into Hotel Pošta comes to 5.5 mil. euros. In the heart of Jasná works on the first stage of the project Jasná – Center East are underway. A two-story building will be a haven for ski instructors, a ski locker room for the visitors; it will provide dining services with a view of Mt. Chopok, connected with the ticket office, info center, and a sports store. The construction of Center East at Biela Put will begin in the summer, and its investment budget comes to 3.2 mil. euros.
In Aquapark Tatralandia a new family attraction – a fun park Tatrapolis is being built. It will be opened for the public in June. On the area of 16 ha 12 metal miniature world famous structures will be exhibited, and the visitors will also be able to see in person honest blacksmith craft or attend interesting events. The total capital expenditures reached 630 thous. euros.
In the High Tatras’ Grandhotel**** Praha in Tatranská Lomnica renovation works are wrapping up on the last Classic rooms. This year Hotel FIS*** at Štrbské Pleso is undergoing a major renovation of 62 rooms. TMR also plans to widen the terrace of Hotel FIS***, as well as the terrace in the restaurant part of Mountain hotel Hrebienok**, modernize the interior of the entry station of the cableway to Lomnický Peak, and to build a new pier in the boat harbor at Štrbské Lake. The total expenditures in the High Tatras equal 743 thous. euros.
At the same time TMR will be undergoing numerous minor investments totaling 5.1 mil. euros, such as asphalting the parking lot at Krupová, adjustment to tracks and snowmaking, and operating investments in the hotels, restaurants, and sports stores. Other expenditures will be spent on project documents for investment projects of the following years.
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Tatry mountain resorts, a.s. (TMR) is the leader in tourism in Central and Eastern Europe; it owns and operates attractive mountain resorts, amusement parks, restaurant facilities, sports services, shops and hotels. In the Low Tatras TMR owns and operates the resort Jasná Nízke Tatry and hotels Wellness hotel Grand Jasná, Boutique Hotel Tri Studničky, Chalets Jasná De Luxe, Hotel Srdiečko, and Hotel Rotunda. TMR is also the owner of Aquapark Tatralandia, the largest Slovak aquapark with year-round operation, which besides water entertainment includes Tropical Paradise, a special tropical indoor hall with sea water, as well as Fun Park, and accommodation in bungalows and apartments of Holiday Village Tatralandia. In the High Tatras TMR owns and operates the resort Vysoké Tatry with mountain areas of Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec, and Štrbské Pleso, which TMR co-manages. In the High Tatras TMR also owns hotels Grandhotel Praha Tatranská Lomnica, Grandhotel Starý Smokovec, Hotel FIS Štrbské Pleso and Mountain hotel Hrebienok. TMR also owns a 9.5 % share in Melida, a.s., which leases and operates the resort Špindlerův Mlýn in the Czech Republic. In Poland TMR owns a 97% share in the mountain resort Szczyrkowski Ośrodek Narciarski S.A. (SON), a 75% share in a company that owns and operates Silesian Amusement Park (Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko) and a 7.3% share in an amusement-educational project via the Polish company Korona Ziemi Sp. z.o.o. TMR also owns and leases hotels Slovakia, Kosodrevina, Liptov and Ski&Fun Záhradky a Bungalovy to third parties. By the end of 2016 EUR 230 mil. had been invested into development and modernisation of TMR’s resorts. TMR shares are traded on three European stock exchanges – in Bratislava, Prague, and Warsaw.