Construction will cost $ 34 million

Hoteliers expect to resume expansion of start area economy.

After constant delays, in early October next wring the renovations at the airport Daniel Oduber, Liberia.

The work will cost $ 34 million, of which $ 27 million will go towards building the new terminal building and about $ 7 million for equipment required by new rooms.

Where no objection is estimated that the extension would be ready for action next year.

The arrangements at the Daniel Oduber aim to expand the runway and set the aircraft movement areas , so that larger aircraft weight and size can enter without problem.

The need for a new terminal in Liberia was evident since the airport opened to international flights. From that moment the demand grew 20 % due to commercial transportation that passes through it.

It is also expected that when the runway is greater , other airlines offer flights from Liberia to the South American continent , because it currently only travels to the United States.

Such is the case of Copa Airlines , a company that has expressed its intention to use this terminal to expand its operation, said Ana Saborio , president of the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism of Costa Rica.

The possibility that in June 2011 succeeded in broadening the Daniel Oduber heartens Guanacastecans entrepreneurs , and that would result in increased inflow of tourists.

However, remain cautious on the date of commencement and completion of works, because in the past these have not been met .
“We expect to complete the review of plans for construction to start walking in October and thus create better conditions for tourists, ” said Saborio.

Once construction is completed the benefits for this industry will be evident , Saborio said .

After lean times that hit the region , the initiation of the remodeling will be an important step for business, and that the delay at the airport made it impossible that tourism be developed appropriately in Guanacaste , said Sammy Weisleder , co-director of Solarium Tech Park.

“It is vital to start young , you have to reactivate the economy and strengthen a province that has been forgotten in recent years, “said Ricardo Castro , manager of Edic Limitada , a company involved in remodeling the terminal of Liberia.

Changes to the master plan has prevented the start of work

Hotel and real estate rush call works for fear of giving supply terminal.

Although it should be premiering in October, the construction of the passenger terminal at Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica has not even started.

The delay is because after it won the work and that the company responsible for the project got the money to start the work, the Government decided to make some changes to the master plan.

This application for an extension of 90 days, which expire until 20 September.

This deadline was requested, the release of the terminal will be delayed until the first half of next year , as Coriport , company in charge of the construction and operation of the terminal, then take six months to do the work in six months.

The master plan amendment is made to include some recommendations made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ), said Patricia Arce , Legal Advisor, Civil Aviation .

The aim is to provide a better use of the airstrip to adjust the areas of aircraft movements , so that in ten or 15 years next generation aircraft (longer) can enter without problem at the same time , detailed lawyer.

The need for a new terminal in Liberia was shown internationally since the airport opened in 2000. From that moment the demand raised by commercial flights to get there.

The delay causes great embarrassment to the Guanacaste tourism operators , fearing that the airport will soon fall short before the surge that is living on tourism.

The last thing we want is to spend another four years, “said Johnny Lewis , president of the Chamber of Tourism of Liberia.
Other entrepreneurs who develop work on the site are also affected at the airport as an important driver for their business. Such is the case of Lou Aguilera , president of the Pro EXSA developer , who said he hopes ” that these five months ( time promised to start work ) do not become five more because we are all eager to be built sooner better. ”
In that same vein, said Sammy Weisleder , market development director of the firm DWL- for whom it is a shame to take so long to rescue a developing area that has bet on tourism. It is vital to start young , you have to diversify the economy and can no longer Guanacaste abandoned as it has been in the past two years , he said.

Also assess water quality and contaminants.

Entity seeks treatment alternatives for waste liquids.

Costa Rica will host, from March, the Center for Water Resources for Central America and the Caribbean (Hidrocec), which provide technical assistance to countries in the region to conserve aquifers.

The institution will be based in the Solarium Technology Park, in Liberia, Guanacaste, a place that tries to establish itself as a center of high technology, and where proper water management is essential because of its dry climate.

The new center will include laboratory analysis of water quality, treatment and reuse of wastewater and watershed management.

Its operation depends on the Universidad Nacional (UNA), explained Jorge Woodbridge, Minister of Competitiveness.

Since March, work will be developed by six professionals, and a director, which has not yet been appointed.

Currently working on land clearing that will house laboratories.

Woodbridge said during a visit made at the Monterrey Technological Institute, half a year ago, attracted the interest of this institution, the Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean (Caalca) and the Foundation lde Femsa (Coke) for the creation of Hidrocec.

“Due to the characteristics of Costa Rica, often no longer qualify for international aid. However, making a regional center can re-capture these international aid resources and convert the country into a regional reference point on this issue, “said the minister.

The establishment of the center is also the responsibility of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and cost $ 500,000.

Between the lines of action of this new body include protecting and managing surface and groundwater, the use and watershed rehabilitation and development of technologies for treating domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural industries.

Also, will evaluate water quality and pollutants, and to review the economics, legislation and water management.

Finally, we offer a degree program in Water Resources and a Masters in Water Management, who may be assisting students throughout the region.

Now, he explained Woodbridge, will have to start looking for international support with which this agency in its operations after its first months of work.

“His performance will mainly depend on international support,” said the minister.

Marina Papagayo is a modest start to the eye of any visitor, few ships in the berths, limited amount of shops and scene evidence still under construction.

A restaurant and a shop for boats and fishing are part of what this site is currently operating in Bahía Culebra in Guanacaste.

The site is located on the north side of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, 30 kilometers from the international airport Daniel Oduber in Liberia.

The complex has four major works, backfilling, the floating docks for yachts, a building and a structure that serves as protection against the wind causing waves in the bay.

The head of the navy, Roberto Kopper, which are explained in the first stage and from the start that they knew, would be a long-term process. He stressed that at these stage investments and jobs have been stronger to ensure the minimum functioning of the navy in accordance with law and the requirements of the PoloTurístico Papagayo.

Oscar Villalobos, director of Comisión Interinstitucional de Marinas y Atracaderos Turísticos (Cimat) explained that the offer consisted of Papagayo to begin activities with basic services, and as they have found during the visits, is being met.

Papagayo is the second Marine operation in the Pacific coast, after the dreams Herradura.

According to Villalobos, Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, is showing more progress in its construction. This site features begin later this year with about 100 berths. One major difference would be that with Papagayo offer repair service couples.

What does marine offering?

For yachts, the service is already full. At the dock, get drinking water, electricity, water treatment and solid waste collection.

Additionally, they can get Internet access and television.

On land, the store has a limited inventory, consisting of basic items for some yachts and fishing implements, such as rods and lures. It also has a section selling clothes.

Moreover, there is an office where the sale of fuel, which also functions as a convenience store, where they sell drinks, bait and ice.

Inside the main building, which still has space, administrative offices are located and used by government authorities (Customs, Immigration and Port Captain).

For owners of boats, the marina and set up multiple facilities.

There is a room with a TV (using cable service) with a pool table, a small room with three computers connected to Internet, a meeting room and a gym with exercise machines to five.

On the same floor, there are bathrooms, a laundry room with a grocery and liquor, and a pool. All these services require no additional payments.

The facilities are modest, and without excessive luxury.

Other facilities do not yet have a physical site within the Navy, but also offered. These are the ships of supplies (food supply) and the coordination for minor repairs or oil changes.

Environmental Control

The government also invested in emergency prevention and control of environmental risks, it is a basic requirement established by the Act and operation of granting tourist marinas.

There are several cabinets with extinguishers and fire hoses on each pier. Additionally, water pipes that supply these positions are submerged to avoid a possible fire can damage them.

As regards the handling of fuel dispensers exist in the four materials used to contain spills on water or on the quay.

It is prohibited to discharge polluted water into the sea, for it is an extraction of these wastes to be treated.

The organic waste is removed from the yacht, is stored in refrigeration and then brought to a company in Curridabat to receive an automated process or sterilization.

According to a prior commitment, Marina Papagayo to begin its second phase, which includes the expansion and more berths in service before July 2010.

The new terminal will have a two-story building, four boarding bridges, a commercial area and more space for immigration and customs.
The project is carried out by the consortium Coriport SA, which yesterday signed a concession contract with the government of Costa Rica.

For the new building of 23,000 square meters of construction, Coriport requires $ 35 million.

Part or all of that money obtained through a credit to the consortium which won the work (Coriport SA) and negotiate.

The information was confirmed yesterday Wogbe Ofori, Coriport group representative at the signing of the concession contract at the Presidential House, Zapote.

The businessman said that financial support negotiated with several banks, “but chose not to mention their names. Neither said how much of that money comes from and how much equity a loan.

Coriport is composed of firms MMM Group SA Aviation, Houston Airport System, Emperador Pez Espada SRL Brad and Ted and Cocobolo Inversiones SRL Corporation.

Investors are U.S. and Costa Rican capital, which will expand the terminal and managed over 20 years.

For now, the contract was sent to endorsement at the General Accounting Office, a process that can take up to 25 days.

Then the operator has five months to complete the design of two-story building to house the passengers and to obtain financial closure.

This closure is the signing of the financing contract between the concessionaire and the bank selected.

If the deadlines are met, construction should start in December and ending six months later.

Characteristics

Karla González, Minister of Transport, confirmed that the new air terminal will have 23,000 square meters of construction.

On the first floor (18,000 square meters) will be located positions of migration and customs, baggage handling, the area for passengers entering the country and the offices of airlines and airport management.

On the second floor (5,000 square meters) will be waiting for passengers leaving the country, the four gates and offices for government officials.

The $ 35 million project will not include the cost of the four bridges of access to aircraft. Such structures shall be borne by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

When opening the new building (in late May or early June of 2010, as planned), the terminal will have capacity for 1,500 passengers simultaneously.

Currently the airport only has the potential to serve 900 passengers at a time.

In KPMG, the economic crisis caused a dual effect: a decline in demand for legal services and at the same time, increase in other work-related companies that are in a difficult economic situation.

Alonso Arroyo, a partner in this venture, he acknowledged that those most affected by economic contractions also require legal services. For example, to a restructuring in return and even to carry out a liquidation process.

The services have had a drop in demand are those related to tourism and real estate transactions.

However, a balance sheet of the firms consulted a sample from a stable business with an increase in services since the crisis creates new legal requirements on businesses.

According to Arroyo, the amount of tax litigation is maintained as an economic contraction in the state reinforces the search for resources by tax claims to the taxpayers and they have to defend themselves.

Other lawyers, as Rodolfo Alvarado, feel a greater impact. For him, customers now demand less in all types of services.

It is in these situations when the slowness of the legal process has a double weight, as people discover they have more costs than benefits when conducting a trial that may take seven or eight years, said Alvarado.

There is always demand

19,061 Total professionals gathered at the Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica.

Marco Durante, Managing Partner of BDS Advisors, said it had an atypical behavior in demand for their services, since increased in recent months.

He added that their clients need help to make decisions related to savings in the cost of human resources, for example, in suggesting new compensation schemes.

“We have also experienced an increase in our practice of dispute because some companies have made changes in industrial relations can be considered illegal, mainly under the inalienability of labor rights,” said Durante.

Another of the effects of this migration is firm in the type of payment from customers, because we prefer to cancel packages advice instead of permanent hires for specific projects.

Guanacaste is maintained

Since before 2006, several law firms in San Jose decided to open offices in Guanacaste, in particular by the housing boom that was the area.

Firms like Coto Pacheco, FA Arias & Muñoz, Cordero and Cordero, Montejo and Associates, and André Tinoco y Abogados and BLP were among those who left the coast in search of more customers.

Currently, however, some analysis if they continue with this operation or closed.

KPMG decided to retain that office for the remainder of 2009 and assess whether the keep in 2010.

Pacheco Coto closed its operation in Tamarindo to merge it with another that is in Liberia. Its managing partner, Alejandro Antillon, said that for now remain involved, but explained that close and re-open it later, it’s a simple job that does not require a great investment.

Various effects

Actions taken by legal services firms in the crisis:
Pacheco Coto: Increased litigation because companies face, for example, over breaches of contract. He also asked its customers better payment terms.

Arias & Muñoz: Increase your business disputes and disputes, including demands for administrative law. Internal reorganization implemented and maintained the office in Guanacaste.

Postpone their plans are not in the top and asked permission of the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA), the Bíblica will do so in a couple of months.

For its part, the current Clínica San Rafael Arcángel will soon become a medium sized hospital with a capacity of 20 beds. He is currently a medical center located in the heart of Liberia, which offers 23 specialties in addition to laboratory services, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.

The plan of the Bible is for six years from the start of the works and will involve an estimated investment of $ 18 million.

The Cima would have ready next year and invest more money because the hospital is part of a larger project. It will be located at Pacific Plaza, real estate development located in Liberia and by the employer Lou Aguilera, who sits on a plot of 22 hectares.

The three companies are interested in capturing the market for tourists, foreign residents and foreigners who come to Costa Rica to undergo surgery.

Wualbin Sánchez, director of Clínica San Rafael Arcángel, explained that the clinic was opened in 2006 and currently has 40 medical specialists and medical laboratory and pharmacy. Then they built a second tower to 20 clinics.

“We have a high influx of 100 patients daily,” he said.

The works for the hospital will start in June and will be a five-story building for a total investment of $ 8.5 million.

Procedures in place

As for paperwork, Cima has submitted documentation to Top Setena and expects construction to begin summer 2010 and conclude in the second quarter of 2011.

The Bíblica, for its part, expected to start in the dry season next year to complete the first stage in a period of 12 to 14 months.

Bernal Aragon, CEO of Hospital Clínica Bíblica, explained that last April was to place the land of 35,000 square meters.

It is located almost opposite the entrance to the finca La Flor (past President Daniel Oduber owned) where the Earth university and the company Ad Astra, of Franklin Chang, has its premises.

Setena permits to be submitted in a couple of months, when the construction plans as they include environmental design, architectural, electrical and mechanical, among others. He also managed; Aragon said the approval for water wells and access roads.

The third major private medical center in the country, the Católica, chose rather to invest in its headquarters in San José and shows it is now called Hospital-Hotel Católica.

This, according to its director, Victor Perez, was renovated from between 2007 and 2008. In health care, join now for guest services, personal care, physiotherapy and restaurant. In total, invested $ 25 million, which includes 34 rooms.

No delays

The project of the Bíblica take about six years after its inception, “depending on their progress much of the behavior of the area in terms of growth, ie, beyond the stage of Guanacaste and the potential financial phase is obtained at home, “said Aragon.

In the case of Aguilera is a larger hospital because apart from the Pacific Plaza will feature hotels, shops, restaurants and retirement homes for the care of postoperative patients.

“Investment in the early stages of the Integrated Medical Plaza, known as Pacific Plaza, around between $ 20 and $ 30 million,” said the entrepreneur.

In fact, a hospital that provides primary care and secondary education.

For its part, the Bíblica Guanacaste is planned in three phases. The first is a three-tiered tower, the first of them for basic care, including laboratory, pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, outpatient surgery for a room addition to a section of bed only for cases where required to make observations short time.

News of the improvments to roads in Liberia has lead to several prestigious Costa Rica-based construction companies to bid for the contract, including Meco, Saret, Concretera Guanacasteca, Presber and Santa Fe.

Carlos Marin, municipal mayor, said, “This week we will select the company that will work on improving the quality of our downtown streets”. He added: “We hope that there will be no appeals, so that construction can start no later than December 15.”

Neighbors of Liberia have said that improving the streets is an urgent matter.