Project presented for construction of sports and recreational center and hippodrome in location of former opencast mine Tamnava-East Field

- Serbian Minister of Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic received today (August 11, 2010) a group of Serbian experts from Canada who presented, in the premises of the Ministry, the plan for construction of a sports and recreation center and a hippodrome in the location of former Tamnava-East Field opencast mine in Kolubara basin - it is stated on the website of the Government of Serbia.

The guests from Canada, the representatives of Woodbine hippodrome and North America's largest horse clinic, led by Manhattan Equine Development's President Zorica Martinovic, gave a proposal for using the potential of former opencast mine for building a tourist destination.

- This complex would have a hippodrome, casino, theater, and a mini zoo. The hippodrome would be multifunctional and it would not be for entertainment only, but it would also have an ecological purpose since the recycled animal waste would be mixed with infertile land and, thus, return fertility to it - Ms. Martinovic pointed out.

Speaking of the project funding, she specified that there was an idea that the European Union be asked to grant the funds or that the construction be financed from the donations and favorable loans from the funds for renovation of degraded surfaces in the locations of former opencast mines.

Sreckovic pointed out that the project sustainability would be guaranteed by our people who lived and worked abroad and wanted to help their homeland with their work and experience.

- Our guests are the proof that precious experience gained abroad can be usefully applied in Serbia - said the Minister and added that that project was also significant because its implementation would lead to creation of numerous jobs in an underdeveloped region.