BIG PLANS AND NEW FACILITIES ANNOUNCED FOR SLATINA NEAR LAKTAŠI

A major development project is being prepared for Slatina near Laktaši, with plans to transform the area into a modern centre combining healthcare, health tourism, recreation, preventive healthcare and residential facilities.

PHOTO: Slatina / TO Laktaši

Goran Talić, director of the Dr Miroslav Zotović Institute, said the project is already in its final preparation phase and that conceptual designs have been developed.

“This is a project that has been in preparation for some time. We are now in the final phase, and we already have conceptual designs. Whether it will take five or ten years, I believe it will be realised. It is a very good concept,” Talić said.

The Dr Miroslav Zotović Institute currently owns around 9,000 square metres of construction land and approximately 5,000 square metres of buildings, which will serve as the starting point for the development of the new Slatina complex.

According to Talić, the planned development could include around 30,000 square metres of new buildings, including approximately 10,000 square metres of garage space.

The new facilities would be located outside the existing park area, meaning the project would not interfere with the surrounding landscape, existing buildings or natural resources.

HEALTH TOURISM, CONGRESS CENTRE AND SWIMMING POOLS

The first step will be the construction of a hospital pharmacy at the site of the former Slateks facility, for which a tender is expected to be announced this month.

After that, Talić announced the launch of what he described as a major development project.

“It will be a huge complex featuring health tourism, a congress centre and a wide range of facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools,” he said.

An important part of the concept is the separation of medical patients from visitors who come to Slatina for recreation, wellness and preventive healthcare.

“Patients and people who come to exercise, relax and enjoy themselves should not be mixed,” Talić said.

NEW PARK FOREST WITH THERAPEUTIC TRAILS

Plans also include the development of a new park forest on the opposite side of the existing one.

The new park forest is planned to cover approximately 270 dunums and would feature trails designed for prevention, rehabilitation and physical therapy.

The facilities would be particularly suitable for people recovering from cardiovascular procedures, as well as those with pulmonary conditions.

According to Talić, this would represent an entirely new approach to combining nature, healthcare and rehabilitation.

THERMAL WATER AS A MAJOR RESOURCE

Thermal water is another key element of Slatina's future development.

Talić pointed out that thermal water can have therapeutic value and can also serve as an important complementary resource in healthcare and rehabilitation. At the same time, geothermal water has significant potential as an energy source.

There are around 200 thermal and geothermal springs in Republika Srpska, he said, highlighting the need for a broader strategy for making better use of this natural resource.

The planned transformation of Slatina could therefore position the area not only as a healthcare destination, but also as a centre for health tourism, recreation, rehabilitation and sustainable use of geothermal resources.