A hydroelectric power station and accumulative lake (reservoir) are planned for construction in Brežice. This opens new possibilities for developing tourist sporting activities on the Vrbina waterside, the area beneath the old city centre.
Location
Brežice in southeastern part of Slovenia. Brežice is an old city, which developed as a waterfront city where important trading paths to the Balkans and Asia Minor led. It lies in the east of Slovenia at the confluence of two rivers, the Sava and the Krka. It is located near the Ljubljana-Zagreb highway, near the Croatian border. The city of Brežice lies near the airport, the railway and the highway, and has therefore got an important strategic location and is quickly accessible as well.
Description
Because of the construction, the relief of whole area must be changed so that activities can be arranged. The water areas will be regulated. The watercourse (the old bed of the river Struga) under the old city centre will be re-established for the purpose of navigation. Islands, ponds, bays, wetlands and fish paths will be established as well. The embankments of the reservoir will be formed in accordance with nature. The area will be equipped with primary infrastructure. Paths and roads will be arranged. Some parking places for visitors will be ensured; others will be assured according to individual regulations. A network of footpaths through the entire area will be arranged alongside the asphalt roads. Some parts of the footpaths will be assigned to cycling and riding ways; there will also be thematic paths with posted information (about water, ornithology, archaeology, protection of nature). The hydroelectric power station building will enable passage over the Sava by bicycle or on foot.
Next to the parking places, public utility equipment is also to be ensured: connection to the electric grid, water supply, wastewater cleaning and regular waste collection. One interesting plan is the bird island with a bird observation station on the left bank of the river Sava, with the intent to assure alternative habitats for birds. The accumulative lake will overflow the agricultural land and the plantation of poplar trees. This area, meant for leisure and tourist activities, consists primarily of poplar trees that will be partly removed and partly changed to other tree varieties to ensure diversity of the space. This way the west facade of the city will become visible from the highway as well.
Expected content –private capital investment:
The aforementioned regulations are the groundwork for the development of leisure activities – cultural, sporting-recreational and tourist – which may be interesting for investors.
- Forma viva
Under the castle is an area where forma viva could occur, where sculptural works and artistic workshops can be presented and, if needed, used also for outdoor events.
- Museum or exhibition activity
The two objects CPB9 and CPB11 are meant for museum or exhibition activity. One could be rebuilt and hold all modern technologies; the other one is a part of the cultural heritage, because in the past there were castle storage spaces there. Naturally, it can be arranged in other ways.
- Presentation of archaeological finds
On the archaeological site Za Savo, archaeological finds from this area can be presented and marked as a tourist point with a boathouse and parking places.
- Amphitheatre
It will be an interesting place for events near the Sava. The amphitheatre’s terraces will be part of the embankment, which is almost 8 m high on this section. It will be used for sporting events, and particularly for cultural (theatre), educational (open-air school) and social (concert) events.
- Boathouses
Boathouses along the river Sava are meant for sporting-recreational activities, with parking spaces for about 20 cars. The area opposite the city centre is meant for the core of the sporting-recreational activities with the main boathouse, piers and a restaurant, parking places and toilets for all Vrbina visitors.
- Navigable ways
- Rowing polygon
- Kayak line
This can be arranged from the Močnik stream to the Sava through the Adrenaline Park.
- Bathing pond and fishing pond
- Multipurpose place
This can be used for outdoor performances and events.
- Adrenaline Park
This can be arranged on the embankment of the accumulation, and can be bounded to water surface levels. It will be accessible by the multipurpose road; a car park can be arranged outside the adrenaline park. Campers and visitors to the multipurpose recreational place will use the car park as well.
- Robinson Adventure Playground
This can be arranged near Brežice Castle and the city centre as a larger polygon for different kinds of outdoor children’s games. It could also be arranged as a tourist, recreational and excursion point, because there is no such offer in Slovenia yet.
- Camp and bungalows
These are planned in the northern part of the settled area, to the right of the Močnik stream. A small dam for bathing in the natural environment is planned within the camp. The camp is divided into an area of around 70 bungalows and an area for tents.
Estimated investment value: It depends on potential investors.
Project stage: outline scheme
Construction schedule: 2012-2015.
For more details, please contact:
Municipality of Brežice
Mr. Dejan Rostohar
Cesta prvih borcev 18
SI-8250 Brežice
Phone: +386 (0)7 499 15 38
E-mail: dejan.rostohar@brezice.si