Kourion municipality plans marine aquarium and research center

The Municipality of Kourion is planning the development of a Marine Aquarium and a Research Centre for Mediterranean Marine Life. The project is estimated to cost €10 million and would be situated on the western side of the Akrotiri municipal district. To facilitate this, the municipality has requested a 16,000-square-metre land lease from the British Bases. Mayor Pantelis Georgiou reported that an initial meeting with British Base representatives indicated a positive reception to the proposal. The British authorities requested that the local municipality submit a preliminary inquiry to the Lemesos District Local Government Organisation (EOA) to allow public utility services to evaluate the plans. This evaluation will help define the terms for a forthcoming architectural competition. Currently, the municipality is preparing this inquiry, and the mayor has contacted the EOA's Licensing Directorate to expedite the administrative process. Funding bodies have also shown a positive interest in the initiative.