The landmark of seaside city Constanta, the famous Casino, will be renovated with a grant of 10 million euro in EU money, Nicuşor Constantinescu, the President of the City’s Council announced recently.
The casino, once a pearl of Contanta, is now what we might call a wreck. Last time I saw it, two years ago, it had even broken windows. A gem of the city, used by many couples for wedding photos, the famous venue attracts tourists as well. Standing right on the promenade, on the seashore, the Casino had a troubled history in the past years. It went from being in the town hall’s administration, to being a property with foreign investors, but when the crisis struck, the investors backed off their plan and the casino was abandoned again. Elena Udrea, The Minister of Development, asked to have the venue passed under her minister, but the building ended up again as a property administered by Constanta’s town hall. The mayor even announced it is up for sale. With the grant, things look better for this iconic landmark. The effective renovation is expected to begin in 2014.
The casino’s renovation is part of a larger program launched by Constanta authorities, which covers the entire old town, and reaches a total of almost 100 million euro, reported Reporter Neptun TV.
Renovating the old town, as well as the casino, will benefit Constanta’s tourism, as well as its appeal as a major harbor, commercial and for passengers.