By Bejay Browne.
A large-scale theme park is planned for Neo Chorio in Paphos and should open to the public in 2021, according to the project’s investors from Cyprus and Hong Kong.
‘Mythos’ will be set on a plot of 43,000 m2 which is situated 800 metres south of Latsi port, near the Akamas peninsula and around 300 metres from an EU Natura 2000 protection area where sites include, rare habitats and protected species of fauna and flora.
“It has all of the necessary planning and environmental permits secured from government authorities,” Savvas Hadjiminas, CEO of the project, confirmed to the Paphos Post. A building permit has yet to be issued.
The Mythos theme park will be built by the recently formed company, Goldsky SH Ltd, with the objective of creating Cyprus’ first ‘signature destination theme park’, according to a press release. Construction will begin as soon as the building permit is approved by the Paphos district office and will take around 12 to 14 months to complete.
“The theme park will open to the public in the summer of 2021. It has premixed road that is connected to Polis and to the Baths of Aphrodite road and is connected to electricity and has its own bore hole,” said Hadjiminas.
A spokesman for the Paphos District Office (PDO) confirmed that a planning permit has been issued by the planning authority in Nicosia and that an application has been made at their offices for a building permit.
“We need some time to examine this as it’s a big project,” he said.
However, the project’s green light from the government has angered some environmentalists, but although complaints have been made to the Greens about the theme park, which is close to a beach and the Akamas peninsula, it seems that the project will go ahead.
Hadjiminas stressed that the company is sensitive to all environmental and safety issues of the park and that all the necessary government environment departments have given their approval. The large scale project will cost around 12 million euros, including the cost of the land.
A release from the company states that the Mythos theme park is expected to diversify the Cyprus tourism market and provide a new destination for tourists and will draw on the rich Greek and Cypriot history and offer amusement through the Talking Tom and Friends International Patent (IP).
The ambitious, proposed facilities at the site include rides and attractions such as ‘the grand park river ride’, billed as a ‘thrilling outdoor ride where visitors will experience Greek mythology’ in specially designed boats, on a specially constructed ‘river’. It will incorporate the trip of Odysseus to Ithaki through a,’ ride under waterfalls and mystery passages’.
The plans include an amphitheatre with a capacity to fit a seated audience of 800, shops, parking for 280 cars and drop off taxi and bus points.
“A food hall will be large enough to accommodate a capacity of 1500 daily and will sell all sorts of fast food and barbecued food. Special events such as weddings, christenings and birthdays can also be held here.”
The project has also been presented to President Nicos Anastasiades. Finance Minister Harris Georgiades and other officials, Hadjiminas added.
