The conceptual solution (IR) and the project task (PZ) of the artificial snowmaking of the state ski resort Kolašin 1600 foresee unfavorable solutions for the state and would cause, among other things, high costs and make the ski center unprofitable.
This is in the letter, which "Vijesti" had access to, to the director of the Ski Resort of Montenegro Đur Milošević, written by a member of the Board of Directors of that state-owned enterprise, M.Sc Ivan Ashanin.
He claims that he consulted experts from outside Montenegro regarding the solution from the IR and that he received "comments from people who are engaged in the design of artificial snow systems and who pointed out the problematic nature of the PZ and the questionable expertise in the preparation of the IR water supply".
"In order to facilitate the understanding of the problem, they gave me a comparison that was made at the end of 2016 for the needs of the Dopellmayr company, which at that time was working on the K8 cable car in the Kolašin 1600 Ski Center, and was also obliged to make a conceptual solution for the artificial snowmaking system . This was later the basis for the development of the Master Project (GP) of artificial snowmaking for the Ski Center Kolašin 1600, which was financed by the Government of the Republic of Montenegro, in the second half of 2019 and which passed the audit, without objections. It is not clear how the current PZ and IR refer to the adopted GP, and at the same time, they proposed solutions that are unfavorable for the state of Montenegro, as well as for both ski resorts (Ski-center Kolašin 1600 and private Kolašin 1450). At the same time, they contradict the already adopted GP", wrote a member of the Board of Directors.
Ašanin reminds that, according to the GP solution adopted by the Government three years ago, an inflow of 100 liters per second (l/s), i.e. 140 l/s is required for water supply to both ski centers and for snowmaking. In PZ and IR, as he explained, "a quantity of 290 l/s is mentioned, of which 30 l/s is for the communal needs of the ski center, and 260 l/s for snowmaking".
"The basis for specifying 260 l/s for snowmaking needs is completely wrong, based on completely wrong calculations and unrealistic requirements for filling the reservoir, which exposes system operators to unacceptably high and completely unnecessary costs. According to the GP, one DN250 profile pipeline is needed, and the design brief calls for two pipelines, one DN500 for snowmaking and the other DN200 for water supply," explains Ašanin.
In the letter to Milošević, he also states that "there is no need for 640 kW pumps (which are enormously expensive and are made to order), in addition to which 60 kW pumps are also planned for water supply in ski resorts, as provided for in the PZ and IR".
Ašanin says that "it is quite enough to install 240 kW pumps (which are serially produced and are much cheaper), which significantly reduces the cost of the investment itself, but also enormously reduces the consumption of electricity".
A member of the Board of Directors reminds that the recently announced tender for the implementation of that project "refers only to the water supply of two ski centers and the delivery of water to the 'takeover point' for the artificial snowmaking system".
He claims that the 2019 snowmaking GP of the Ski Center, "although not perfect, is the only economically acceptable solution that ensures the business of both Ski Centers, on a purely economic basis."
Ašanin asked Milošević to use the remarks and analysis he sent as the position of the Board of Directors of the Ski Resort of Montenegro towards the Directorate for Capital Projects, all "in the best interest of Montenegro and both ski centers".
The administration recently, in order to solve the water supply of the ski centers Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600, as well as the water supply for the artificial snowmaking system, announced a tender for the preparation of complete technical documentation and the realization of that long-awaited project.
Already during the tender procedure, there were numerous objections to the ID, which "Vijesti" wrote about in detail.
Season open on the mainland
The winter tourist season at the state ski resort opened symbolically yesterday, although there is no snow on the slopes. From the Ski Center Kolašin 1600, for now, guests are welcomed with an offer consisting of a panoramic cable car ride and a tubing track (a plastic surface on which sledding is possible).
The season was opened by the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Goran Đurović and the President of the Municipality of Kolašin Vladimir Martinović.
"We hope that the weather will help us at the beginning of January, in order to push this season in the right way and complete it with a successful summer. We additionally provided free bus transportation from Podgorica, Nikšić, Kolašin and Žabljak. The cable cars are ready. I had the opportunity to ski on these slopes and I can responsibly claim that they are fantastic," said the minister.
Martinović assessed that Kolašin is experiencing an investment boom.
"I am convinced that if we work together on development, we will be competitive, not only with Zlatibor and certain tourist centers in the region, but also in Europe".
Director of the Ski Resort of Montenegro, Đuro Milošević, said that, with the temperatures as they are these days, the question is whether an artificial snowmaking system would be effective. Still, he claims, he is satisfied with a good visit on the first day of the tourist winter at the state ski resort.
It was said that "mechanization and infrastructure are ready for skiers and that Kolašin will be competitive with tourist centers in Europe".
"Vijesti" was unofficially told that the accommodation capacities are mostly filled by the end of January and that there are no cancellations, despite the fact that meteorologists do not expect significant snowfall until the end of the year.
Guests are expected from the countries of the region, Albania and Montenegro...
Bonus video:
