‘Multi-use’ outdoor activity centre opens

A NEW “multi-use” outdoor activity centre built by Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality (LTB) was officially opened on Wednesday. Located on Özker Özgür Caddesi in Küçük Kaymaklı, the “Lefkosa Centre” will be a place where “cultural, artistic, sports and economic activities” can take place, according to LTB.

It also has “versatile features” such as an “open market, bazaar, event and organisation area”.

Lefkosa Centre was designed as a completely “barrier-free structure”. It also has a theatre and amphitheatre for 85 people, a 280m2 exhibition, sports activity and event hall, a restaurant/cafe, two special meeting rooms and administrative buildings. It has space for more than 300 stalls and parking for up to 410 vehicles.

The site, which covers 12,000m2, cost nearly 9 million TL to build, of which 7 million TL was financed from LTB’s own resources and 1.8 million TL from the Turkish Development and Economy Cooperation Office.

There were stands, a concert, cartoons and activities for children, such as face painting; dance shows and a DJ performing during the opening event.

Lefkoşa Mayor Mehmet Harmancı stated that the people of Lefkoşa now have a “modern, contemporary infrastructure, a proper market and a venue that will serve different events”.

Mr Harmancı also noted that the city market will be based at Lefkoşa Centre on Sundays.

Lefkoşa Centre project manager Ferdiye Sav said that the site took six years to complete – from design through to construction – and that various associations such as the Marketers Union and the Chamber of Industry were consulted on the plans.

She emphasised that Lefkoşa Centre is a “disabled friendly” facility.