The Mediterranean Sports Center, the most extensive venue in Budva for hosting sports events, including both international and national championship matches, as well as physical education classes for high school students, is currently operating illegally without a usage permit. This is due to the repeated rejections by the Secretariat for Urbanism and Sustainable Development of the Municipality, which has turned down the municipal company Mediterranean Sports Center (MSC) for the umpteenth time over the past eight years regarding their requests to legalize and obtain a permit for the large sports center, constructed more than thirty years ago.

The municipal company, supported by the city budget, submitted separate requests in March for both legalization and the issuance of a usage permit.

“The application from the Mediterranean Sports Center for the legalization of an illegal business facility has been deemed unfounded,” according to the decision issued on March 14, which was obtained by “Vijesti” and signed by acting secretary Milica Mazarak.

The explanation indicates that a request for legalization was submitted just two days prior, on March 12, concerning an illegal business structure situated on cadastral plot 1617/1 KO Budva. According to the cadastral records, this plot houses the complete sports center featuring a large hall and several business premises on both the ground and first floors.

Moreover, the Municipality of Budva has consistently rejected requests from the Mediterranean Sports Center to obtain a permit for the use of the sports center.

This occurred on March 11, when the Secretariat rejected the Mediterranean Sports Center’s request for issuing a use permit for a business facility, labeling it as unfounded.

“During the resolution of the request in question, it was determined that MSC had simultaneously submitted a request for legalization to the Secretariat for Urbanism and Sustainable Development and was invited to enhance the request. Given that MSC has made multiple attempts to legalize illegal structures and procure a usage permit in previous years, all of which have been denied by this Secretariat, it is apparent that the legal criteria for granting a usage permit have not been satisfied,” the decision states.

The Mediterranean Sports Center’s work program and financial plan for 2024 will be presented to the councilors during the local parliament session set for April, a matter that has been delayed due to the political crisis in the city.

In that report, the municipal company’s management notes that one significant issue affecting their operations is the absence of a usage permit for the facility.

“From the inception of the facility’s operations, it has lacked a usage permit despite having obtained all project documentation. Specifically, the technical acceptance failed to meet the criteria concerning the roof structure. Consequently, owners and tenants of business premises within the MSC are unable to secure the necessary documentation to carry out their activities. This issue regarding the roof structure was addressed through a rehabilitation and adaptation plan developed in 2019 by ‘Aqua inžinjering’, with the construction work undertaken by ‘Montgrej’. The company engaged ‘Sau’ from Budva to assist in obtaining a usage permit, but unfortunately, this has not yet materialized,” the report states, which has been approved by the Secretariat for Social Affairs.

It is highlighted in the document that it is essential to prepare as-built plans and geodetic studies of the facility’s gross and net areas, in addition to the technical acceptance of the building, with an estimated cost of 150 thousand euros.

“Once the company secures the occupancy permit, it will be vital to reconstruct the entire facility based on a conceptual design already prepared by ‘Sau’ from Budva. This reconstruction is projected to cost one million euros, thereby providing the MSC with an additional 500 square meters of office space, which will complement the Mediterranean architectural style,” the document claims.

In 2014, the Municipal Assembly made a decision to establish the Mediterranean Sports Center Limited Liability Company, stating that its founding capital comprises a facility with a large sports hall featuring stands, offices for physical education and technical services, locker rooms, and six business premises.

The municipality retains 100% ownership of the company, financing it from the budget to cover employee salaries and to maintain the center’s functionality.

During the winter months, numerous sports teams utilize the hall for training, while high school students from the nearby school also have physical education classes there.

For years, none of the municipal authorities have effectively addressed the legalization of the complex or implemented a comprehensive reconstruction project, which has long been necessary.

Despite the current management’s announcement of a reconstruction plan and promotion of the project over eight years, no actual progress has been made, as executing such a significant investment necessitates budget allocations through the municipality’s investment activities.

It is anticipated that the appointment of a new board of directors will lead to a change in the current management, resulting in new leadership for the company.

News