The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) announced plans are ready for the Centro Nacional de Convenciones (National Convention Centre) aimed at attracting more tourists.
Juan Carlos Borbón, ICT manager, told the press the plans were received on Wednesday from designer Gensler Costa Rica e Internacional and comes with a projected cost of US$280 million dollars.
The ICT says it has already published the bid document in La Gaceta and businesses have until June 27, 2013 to submit their interest, in the pre-qualify stage.
Once this term expires, the ICT will choose participants in 15 days, and will provide them one month to submit their bids. The final choice will be marked by price and construction time, with a delivery date not later than one year from a November 2013 start.
The convention centre will be located in Heredia, in the vacant lot next to Cariari Plaza, minutes from the Juan Santamaria International airport. The building will be 15.000 square metres, sitting on 10 hectares.
The infrastructure will include: exhibition area, conference rooms, VIP meeting rooms, press rooms, hallways, kitchen and restaurant, on the outside: parking, vehicular and pedestrian circulation and outdoor exhibition areas.
Borbón indicated the decision has yet to be made if the Centre will be administered by the ICT, enter into a management contract or will be on concession.