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Monday,
July 23,
2007, #138 (1405)
Euro Park is possibly one of the ‘coolest’ places to be in Tbilisi this summer—but at GEL 50 a pop, it’s not clear whether many Tbilisebi will be able to afford fun in the sun at this new water entertainment center. Park director Salome Salukvadze says the price isn’t unreasonable considering what is included in the GEL 50. The fee is not just admission to the park, but includes food, medical assistance, use of the tennis courts and a fitness center. “If you go to other water entertainment centers in Tbilisi, they cost GEL 20–30 just to get in. Then you have to pay extra for food and for lounge chairs. At our park, everything is included in the price of entrance,” Salukvadze says. She did admit that the food was only available from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the afternoon and a customer was only allowed through the line once—though one could take as large a helping of cutlets and mashed potatoes as they like. She also said that drinks had to be purchased. A customer must also pay extra to go to the disco at night. If someone is just interested in the disco, they can pay GEL 20 after 10 p.m. and dance the night away. On occasion, the park hosts popular artists but tickets are extra for these events. Philip Kirkorov performed the night the park opened and they hosted the popular Russian pop-trio Viagra not long ago. Salukvadze explains they also have a special program for kids. Children under seven get in for free and if a parent needs an hour or two respite from her little ones under seven, she can drop them off in the child’s area where special staff will entertain them as well as watch out for their safety. They offer a shallow pool to play in as well as games to play with other kids. Salukvadze mentioned that some group rates were available if arranged in advance. But Jondi Baghaturia, leader of the political movement Kartuli Dasi (Georgian Troupe) sees nothing to be proud of about the park. “GEL 50 is a price only 4–5 percent of our society can afford. If, for example, a family decides to spend a weekend there, they would have to sell their house to swim in the pools,” Baghaturia told The Messenger. When The Messenger visited the park, not many people were there, but Salukvadze assured us that this was only because of the recent rain and brief cold snap. Not only the price but also the location of the park is curious for many. It is a bit out of the way—located on the outskirts of Tbilisi, in Nadzaladevi district—but the reason, says Salukvadze, is its size. Pools, water slides, bungalows, a disco and a cafeteria are spread out on 38 000 square meters. That’s a size of land which isn’t easy to come by just anywhere in Tbilisi. Many questioned why the owners decide to locate the park in such a run-down part of town surrounded by dilapidated buildings and factories. When Saakashvili visited the park at its opening he mentioned that the area had once been bombed out and destroyed. Salukvadze explains that’s exactly one of the reasons they chose this area, because it had been so neglected. She argues they’re dong their part to help develop this region including the employment of 200 people. In August, they are opening another water park on 12 000 square meters of land in Batumi. Salukvadze says Euro Park will not close once the weather cools; an indoor swimming pool as well as fitness and massage center are already in the works. |
Water Park Offers Way to Beat the Heat—For a Price
