By Anna Hassapi
THE Mayor of the Limassol suburb of Mesa Yeitonia yesterday announced plans to build an open summer amphitheatre in the Melina Mercouri Park at Panthea Hill in Limassol.
Construction for this 500-seat venue is expected to start in the beginning of 2009.
“Panthea Hill is an exceptional setting for an amphitheatre, offering a view of the whole of Limassol by night,” said Mayor Christos Mesis. “Our vision is to create a 500-seat amphitheatre, with a design quite similar to the ancient Curium theatre.”
The idea to create an amphitheatre at this spectacular setting came by chance. “One summer our Council organised a concert at that location and we realised it was the perfect spot for such a venue,” Mesis explained.
Mesa Yeitonia Council has been in contact with the Ministry of Education, which assured the local authority that the project would come though, with most of the funding provided by the state.
“We had a meeting with Education Minister Akis Kleanthous before Christmas and he promised to give financial support to cover most of the project’s cost. The rest of the cost will be covered by Mesa Yeitonia Council, as we have put an amount of money aside for this project,” Mesis said.
Construction is expected to start by the beginning of 2009. “Next week we’ll send plans, including electronic and mechanical requirements to the Ministry of Education. Then, it is a matter of the Minister granting final approval. Most probably by autumn of this year we will get that approval. So, construction can start by the beginning of 2009.”
The announcement of plans for the project has sparked concern among residents about whether there will be enough parking and whether traffic in the area will increase as a result of the amphitheatre’s operation. Mayor Mesis yesterday assured the public that there would be plenty of parking.
“Do the people who are complaining know where this amphitheatre will be built? It will be built inside Melina Mercouri Park, which is a huge area. I am sure there will be space for parking 200 cars. There is no need to worry.
“Why don’t these people ask me about real issues, like what I plan to do about parking at the centre of Mesa Yeitonia, where there is indeed a problem?” Mesis asked.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008
Not sure whereabouts this is exactly but sounds like a good idea in theory. Do you have any thoughts/ideas about this proposal?
Bubbles x
