OREANDA-NEWS. On August 08-09, 2009 President Serzh Sargsyan conducted a working visit to Jermuk, reported the Official website president.am.

At the meeting with the leadership of the region and the town, the President discussed issues pertaining to the implementation of the decisions adopted during the last year meetings, when Jermuk was designated a center for recreation and tourism activities. In particular, the Deputy Minister for Urban Development, Chief Architect Narek Sarkissian presented to the President of Armenia the blueprint of priority construction on the territory of the Jermuk airport, which is currently inoperative, as well as the outline of the hotel compound with the recreational SPA center to be constructed in Jermuk town.

The territory of the inoperative airport and the adjoining 120 hectares of land will be used to build the relaxation and entertainment areas, tourism, lodging, and administrative facilities, residential area, variety of structures, and a cultural compound, which will include the chess center and winter sport facilities. This project is developed based on the government decision of September 18, 2008, according to which Jermuk will become a recreational center, center of winter sport activities and tourism, venue for international chess tournaments, as well as the campground for different pan-Armenian and international youth gatherings. Development works of the project are to be concluded in September, 2009.

The Chief Architect informed President Sargsyan that the construction of the hotel compound with the recreational SPA center has already started and would be concluded in 2011. Investments into the compound total 15mln USD.

The President of Armenia also examined the outline of the new transportation hub, which is to be built at the entry to the town for traffic safety, and the automobile road.

Serzh Sargsyan visited also the Jermuk air tram station and observed the development works on its territory. Accompanied by the President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who is in Jermuk for the opening of the FIDE Grand Prix “Jermuk-2009” tournament, Serzh Sargsyan made a trial trip on the air tram.

President Sargsyan met also with the winners of the Armenian Knight telegame, members of the team from Jermuk secondary school N.1. Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the kids and said that he was delighted with their love for knowledge and the beautiful victory. The President noted that these examples are important for the schoolchildren and would help them to appreciate the importance of solid knowledge for studying well and finding their place in life.

Members of the team told President Sargsyan about their feelings and impressions of the game and about their experience of being received as little heroes in their home town.

The President of Armenia wished the kids, who later that afternoon would be heading for historical Western Armenia, a nice trip, noting that that trip was a unique opportunity to augment their knowledge of the Armenian history.

On behalf of the President of Armenia and Pyunik Foundation the kids were presented with the notebooks.