MOUNTAINEERING CLUB JAVORINA TO BUILD STARINA NOVAK LODGE ON ROMANIJA

PALE, SEPTEMBER 27 /SRNA/ – The Mountaineering Club 'Javorina' from Pale, one of the youngest associations in the region, has launched a project to build a modern mountain lodge on Romanija, which will bear the name of the legendary hero Starina Novak and attract tourists and mountaineers from all over Europe.

Club member Igor Tošić told SRNA that this is their most ambitious project to date, and that the construction of the lodge will be a significant step in promoting mountaineering and tourism, making Romanija even more attractive to both domestic and foreign visitors.

"We have obtained location permits for the construction of the lodge, which will be built according to European standards. It will be a facility that will adorn Romanija and attract tourists and mountaineers from all over Europe," Tošić emphasized.

He said that the mountain lodge will be located below the Maiden Cliffs, popularly known as Đeva, the site where nearly a century ago the first alpine ascent in BiH took place, which gives this project special symbolism.

Tošić said that the lodge, with an area of 300 square meters, will have a kitchen, a large hall, a garden, and male and female rooms with a capacity of 35 to 40 beds, each with its own bathroom. The design is being provided free of charge by the Pale-based company 'Santing'.

According to him, the land at this attractive location was donated by the Šipovac family from Canada, with the message that they support everything 'Javorina' does, since their projects are always of high quality.

Tošić said that the Board of Directors unanimously decided that the new lodge will carry the name of Starina Novak, the legendary hero. Nearby is also Novak’s Cave.

He stressed that support for the construction of the lodge in several stages has been promised by the city of Istočno Sarajevo, the municipalities of Pale and Istočno Novo Sarajevo, as well as private entrepreneurs.

"When the lodge is completed, we will strengthen our work with children and elementary school students, organizing educational workshops on safe hiking and the importance of spending time in nature. One must know how to behave on the mountain, what to carry. The mountain and mountaineering bring many benefits to people and health, freeing us from stress, teaching healthy values and ways of thinking," Tošić said.

He pointed out that the Mountaineering Club 'Javorina' already has experience in socially useful projects, having been partners in building several mountain trails, and together with the Jahorina Hoteliers Association they marked a trail on Dvorišta, so that tourists can safely enjoy natural beauties and easily find their way back.

Tošić emphasized that this is not the end of their ambitions, since with the construction of the 'Starina Novak' lodge they plan to further develop tourism, sports and educational activities, contributing to the community as one of the most active associations in Republika Srpska.

The Mountaineering Club 'Javorina' was founded in 2002 and now has about one hundred members. The number of enthusiasts joining the Club is growing every year, and 'Javorina' states that they have harmonized all their acts with the new Law on Sports.