Budgets announced for America's Cup

The port of Valencia

Valencia councilor Garcia Anton says all ports and towns on the Costa Blanca will benefit from the America's Cup, especially Denia, Santa Pola, Torrevieja and Altea. Three quarters of the cost of improvements will be paid through private funding but the rest will be public money spent on 212 specified projects including building new ports. Anton also noted that this number does not include projects that are totally private endeavors.

Budget for moorings, ports, marinas
While 50 per cent of the 650 million euro budget will be spent on new moorings, almost 40 per cent is ear marked for spending on extending ports and marinas. New ports will take up a further 10 per cent of the budget. However, even considering the projected 18,000 moorings in the Valencia area an additional 20,000 moorings are being recommended to meet demands.

Ambitious plans in Javea
Javea Town Hall is also hoping to resuscitate its long-suffering plans for harbour improvements and marina expansion. Town Hall spokesman Enrique Bas has announced that the council is studying several projects but the most likely will be the construction of a new quay to the north of the harbour, increasing the number of moorings from 30 to 280. Javea is not the only Costa council to suggest improvements and enlargement schemes for their harbour facilities in the wake of Cup Fever. Moraira, Denia. Altea, Villajoyosa and Alicante have also presented improvement schemes although so far none have been as ambitious as Javea.

Massive expansion programme in Valencia
Work has already begun in Valencia Port itself on its massive expansion programme. Mayoress Rita Barbera also announced this week the construction of a unique hotel on Balcon al Mar similar to the Sydney Opera House. Pictured is the Denia Marina Hotel being built.

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