EIKA Group, with extensive experience in implementing public-private partnership projects (PPP),. Public-Private Partnership, PPP), will apply it when building the Joniškis universal sports hall and swimming pool complex. The project was won by UAB “Partnerystės projektai penki”, a company belonging to the “EIKA Group”, and the construction will be carried out by UAB “Joniškio projektas”. The group’s most important commitment is to ensure that the work is completed in a high-quality and timely manner.
EIKA Group has signed a contract with Joniškis District Municipality, and after it comes into force, design work will begin, which will last about a year, followed by construction itself. The total investment value of the project will reach up to 10 million euros.
The project will include the construction of a sports complex with a universal gym, swimming pool, and sauna complex.
“This public infrastructure PPP project is a new experience for us; until now, all swimming pools were built after announcing a regular tender, and in certain cases, they were transferred to a private entity for management under a concession agreement. We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to create this type of social infrastructure for the local community and its guests,” says Artūras Klangauskas, Director of the Infrastructure Development Department at EIKA Group.
This is also the group’s first project working with a municipality, as until now EIKA Group has mainly participated in projects prepared by the central government.
“The principles of implementing PPP projects remain the same here, we believe that close cooperation with the city government will allow us to achieve the best desired result and implement the project on time,” adds A. Klangauskas.
A multipurpose sports hall and swimming pool in Joniškis should be built in the next couple of years. The local government hopes that this sports complex will become a new center of attraction and encourage active community involvement, while cooperation with the private sector will help ensure the effective implementation of the entire project.
“This project is a long-awaited investment. A modern swimming pool and gym will provide new opportunities for Joniškis residents, promote active leisure and a healthy lifestyle for the district’s residents, and increase the city’s attractiveness among people choosing the Joniškis district as a living or working environment. There was a great lack of high-quality sports infrastructure spaces in the Joniškis region, so we are glad that we can create a more attractive city and start this stage together with experienced partners,” says Gediminas Čepulis, Mayor of Joniškis District.
After the company “Partnerystės projektai penki” belonging to the “EIKA Group” won the tender, the company that came in second place had appealed the results and tried to claim that the project could not be implemented at such a price. However, the court ruled that such an appeal was unfounded, so now that the legal proceedings have ended, it will be possible to begin the work that has been somewhat delayed due to them.
“This is also a continuation of our investments in the Northern Lithuania region. The first such project was a military town in Šiauliai, where the work has already been completed, and the created infrastructure is being used by the direct beneficiary – the Lithuanian Armed Forces. We will strive to implement this project faster than the original schedule. We believe that the newly created infrastructure will improve the community’s leisure time and employment, create new jobs, and improve the city’s urban space,” says the director of the infrastructure development department of EIKA Group.