New sports complex inaugurated in Keszthely

On 19 July, the Helikon Tennis Centre was inaugurated in Keszthely, next to Hotel Helikon. The construction was carried out by WEST HUNGÁRIA BAU Kft..

"I would like to welcome you to this solemn occasion when we inaugurate the Helikon Tennis Centre behind me, right next door to Hotel Helikon. This multifunctional recreation park is a facility that will provide recreational and sporting opportunities for the guests of the hotel, for tourists coming to the area, for families, for the town of Keszthely and for the residents of the region", said András Csere Csere, Managing Director of Hotel Helikon Kft., in his speech at the ceremony.

The CEO's speech also revealed that the facility itself offers a range of services and infrastructure. It is housed in a clubhouse adjacent to the hotel:

• a dressing room of 17 square metres,
• social rooms,
• playground,
• Recortan running track,
• a multifunctional room with a climbing wall, interactive games and a graffiti wall,
• in addition, this room can also be used as a cinema room.

There is also a café, both indoor and outdoor, where athletes and tourists can relax before and after their sporting activities.

Environmental protection was also taken into account during construction

The sports facility has six clay tennis courts, which can be used from 6am to 8pm, but the lighting throughout the building has been designed to ensure that tennis can be played at night.

"The clubhouse is powered by a renewable energy heat pump. This is an effort to use renewable energies and also to do something for the environment," the manager stressed.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the representatives of WHB who are present here today for the quality of the construction of these two facilities for the town of Keszthely, which have created the opportunity to provide jobs for more than 100 workers. This tennis centre is one of our newest treasures in Keszthely and we are proud to share this fantastic facility with you. We hope that Hotel Helikon, and the tennis centre itself, will not just be a sports complex in the area, but a place that will provide a space for people to meet not only for sports, but also for other social gatherings", concluded András Csere.

The facility can also host international competitions

"Tourists travel for experiences, and experiences are defined by the value and quality of tourist attractions. The Helikon Hotel recognised this when they built this multifunctional tennis centre, which also serves as an active leisure facility for many visitors. With this development, a new segment of tourism has been created in this city," said Anikó Suhajda-Molnár, Deputy General Manager.

The Helikon Tennis Centre is also suitable for international and professional tournaments, putting Keszthely on the map of international sports tourism.

"The tennis centre and the hotel symbiotic with it will enhance not only Keszthely, but the entire Balaton region. For us, the essence of tourism is to give visitors real experiences, lasting memories and a chance to get to know our country. We can achieve this goal through such exemplary quality developments. But tourism and development are not just an experience for tourists, as new family-friendly developments and attractions serve the well-being and quality of life of the local community living here, and even the common future of Hungary as a whole. Let me congratulate you all on your work" - Anikó Suhajda-Molnár told us.

A very significant development from a tourism point of view has also been achieved

State Secretary Bálint Nagy said:

"We are well aware that the Helikon Hotel itself is an iconic building not only for Keszthely, not only for the region, but for the whole of Lake Balaton. We also know that unfortunately it has not been the pride of the town for many years. When the new owner started the renovations, he has really carried out these works with a quality that I think is exemplary."

"Last September, we reached the point where a very significant development was able to take place here, both for the people of Keszthely, the region and the whole of Hungary in terms of tourism, which I think can meet the challenges of today's age and the needs of today's world. Nothing proves this better than looking at the figures, as since September last year there have been nearly 40,000 guest nights in the Helikon Hotel, which is a very significant figure for the region. Furthermore, in the last few months since the hotel opened, it has hosted major national events," said Bálint Nagy.

"I believe that this result could not have been achieved if it had not been for the cooperation and attitude of the owner, the government and the local government, which really focused on solving problems and achieving common goals," the State Secretary added.

Deputy Minister of Construction and Transport Nándor Csepreghy welcomed the guests on behalf of János Lázár, and said that rural development is a priority area for the Government. In the past 12-13 years, they have changed scale and in several cases successfully closed the decades-long gap, not only thinking in terms of the capital, as 28 thousand billion forints have been spent on rural development since 2010. The deputy minister said that living in rural areas is no longer a disadvantage.

The event was attended by:

• Nándor Csepreghy, Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, on behalf of the Minister of Construction and Transport,
• Bálint Nagy, Member of Parliament and Secretary of State for Transport Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium,
• Péterné Vozár, Deputy Mayor of Keszthely,
• Anikó Suhajda-Molnár, Deputy CEO of the Hungarian Tourism Agency,
• Attila Paár, owner-managing director of WHB Group,
• András Csere, Managing Director of Hotel Helikon Kft..