Nowa Wieś Iławecka. The new spa shines empty. It was created too close to the border with Russia

At the end of last year, a modern health resort was established in Nowa Wieś Iławecka (Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship). The commune, which has obtained EU and government funds for this purpose, has a problem to find an investor. The problem is the location. The spa lies right next to the border with Russia. The commune authorities are now thinking about what to do, so that the object finally begins to pulsate with life.

In 2016, Nowa Wieś Iławecka was covered by the spa protection area. This opened new perspectives for the commune.

A year later, activities related to the construction of spa facilities began. Seven million zlotys for the construction of a spa pavilion were obtained from European Union funds. A road and sewage treatment plant were also built. The investment dragged on because of the pandemic coronavirus and war in Ukraine. In the meantime, the commune managed to obtain another 32 million zlotys for the construction of a natural treatment plant from the European Union. Added to this, five million zlotys from government funds to equip facilities.

Today, the spa in Nowa Wieś Iławecka has a lot to offer. It contains fully equipped objects with spa infrastructure, as well as brine towers. There is also a plot for the construction of a facility with a residential complex for patients. Since the end of last year, the object is ready, but it still shines empty. The commune is constantly looking for an investor.

– The search is divided into three parts. Finding an operator in such a form as it was assumed, i.e. a private operator, who enters the infrastructure built by the commune, may prove to be problematic due to the location of the spa and the geopolitical situation. We talk to various entrepreneurs. We are in various processes of these conversations. Other considerations related to the management of this infrastructure are also underway. It is a connection with functioning public entities. The third option is that the municipality will have to open it in any form itself – says Krzysztof Baran in an interview with tvn24.pl.

They count on cooperation with hospitals

A center of medical services of regional importance – the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital in Górowo Iławecki, and 25 kilometers, poviat hospital in Bartoszyce is distant about ten kilometers. The commune authorities see this as a chance. They think about creating something like a spa clinic.

As the head of the village Baran announces, the general spa infrastructure, i.e. towers and maybe a swimming pool, should be made available in the next few weeks.

– However, we are still looking for a target solution that will ensure the functioning of this object for the benefit of the community, i.e. one that was assumed that it will work based on medical treatments. We are unfortunately lying at the border with the aggressor, so from the point of view of private investors, after 2022 we are not such an attractive partner – indicates Krzysztof Baran.

They were counting on patients from Russia

The commune counted on the presence of patients from this country. From the outbreak of the full -glass war on UkraineHowever, everything has changed. Instead of a development opportunity for the region, there was a threat.

– Next to Lidzbark Warmiński with the famous thermal and these areas operated in the lion's parts based on tourists from the Królewiec region. Just like in Gołdap, which also works as a spa. People with rich wallets came there, which this region somehow filled with cash. These assumptions that we created before Pandemia and the entire strategy for border municipalities from Braniewo to Dubeninek were based on cooperation with Russia And a small border traffic. Unfortunately, it came out as it came out. It has become all more a threat than a developmental opportunity – notes Krzysztof Baran.

According to the commune head, there is a gap in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, which could be completed with spa services. In his opinion, you should follow this path because it is a development opportunity for the region.

– Our region has a spa network inscribed in the strategy until 2030 as a function of voivodship development. This is the right direction. There are a lot of spas in the south of Poland, but the chances that they will continue to last in an unchanged form is small, due to environmental restrictions, i.e. their problems with air. This, in turn, gives our province a good chance – says Baran.

– A lot of municipalities try to follow in this direction, such as the nearby Lidzbark Warmiński or Gołdap – a commune with similar conditions as we, located at the border with Russia – emphasizes the head of the Górowo Iławeckie commune.

Project durability for five years

Due to the fact that the project was co -financed from EU funds, the municipality must maintain its durability for five years. Infrastructure cannot be sold during this period, it is necessary to maintain indicators: the number of visits – a minimum of 1,665 people per year and employment – 14 people. If they are not met, the municipality will have to return the subsidy.

– These are not excessive indicators. It is more about that it functions for the benefit of society. We are able to show indicators. We do not want to mention certain actions, and that the public money from which this investment was created would serve society – sums up Krzysztof Baran.