NUR-SULTAN – Construction of the Kok Zhailau Mountain resort near Almaty will be delayed three to five years as recommended by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Almaty Akim (Mayor) Baurzhan Baibek announced April 8 during an Almaty Public Council meeting.
Photo Credit: picnicteam.kz.
“I suggest to once again go through preparatory work for this project and to delay it for now,” Baibek announced
“We are considering that the development of already functioning resorts will take no less than three to five years, according to the experts. In this time, we will gain the experience we need, will be able to prepare workers better and study public opinions. Only after that we will be able to start Kok Zhailau mountain resort construction,” said Baibek.
President Tokayev tweeted support for the decision on April 8.
“Almaty Akim Baibek suggested delaying the Kok Zhailau project for studying expert and public opinions. I support this decision that is based on my recommendation. There can be no rush with an issue as important as this one is,” wrote Tokayev.
Head of the Almaty Tourism Administration Maksat Kikimov noted that the project can be simplified.
“The Kok Zhailau consultant and developer suggests the option of using another slope for ski slopes, finding the possibility of reducing the area of residential development, moving the hotel project from the top of the plateau to the bottom, building a base station and cableways from CSKA skiing base side. The option of developing existing resorts instead of building new ones is also reflected in the opinion of the director of the consulting and developing company. We also suggested an option of first building cable cars and then gradually transitioning to resort’s development,” said Kikimov.
