Attention to detail, environmental concern and health and safety are the focal points of the new Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa, at Ghajn Tuffieha, apart from the stunning view of the bay, tower and cliffs opposite of course.

Environment Minister George Pullicino yesterday was taken on a tour of the hotel, which is expected to accommodate its first guests this summer, by group managing director Winston V. Zahra.

Mr Zahra explained: “In the initial stages of the project a great amount of care was given to the way the old building was demolished and the way that the materials were used. In fact over 80 per cent of the old Golden Sands hotel was recycled. Interiors of the old building including cast iron, aluminium and glass were sold for recycling.”

He continued: “Old furniture and items that could still be used were passed on to charitable institutions. Most importantly, all stonework was crushed and reused on site in the construction of the road network of the new property.”

The material that was not recycled was transported to a disused quarry. Mr Zahra explained that great attention was paid in construction to ensure that the impact on the surrounding environment would be mitigated. “Measures taken included the use of stone cutting machines incorporating vacuum pumps, the regular dampening of the site to avoid dust pollution and the washing of all trucks as they left the building site,” he said.

The design stage also included a heavy emphasis on the environment, with the building of three separate towers as opposed to a solid building mass so as to reduce the visual impact of the new property.

Mr Zahra said the new buildings were placed further away from the cliff edge to create more space for landscaping at the front of the property and to help preserve the integrity of the cliff face. Additionally, the ratio of built up space to landscape area is a ratio of 70:30 in favour of landscaped areas. All landscaping plans were drawn up making use of indigenous plants.

Design considerations to enable the reduction of consumption of air conditioning included the use of double glazed balcony doors, tinted glass and the inclusion of ceiling fans in all rooms to complement the air conditioning system. “Roofs are especially insulated and as much natural light as possible has been used in the building. Hollow bricks and roofing slabs were used throughout to allow for lower thermal conductivity,” explained Mr Zahra. The colours used for the outside of the building were also chosen partly due to their low heat absorption characteristics.

The incorporation of a reverse osmosis plant and wastewater treatment plant will also be contributing to the lower use of resources by the resort when it opens. The system will enable the resort to produce all the water it needs while the latter will recycle all wastewater for reuse in irrigation. In fact, Mr Zahra said that the group was trying to strike a deal with farmers to provide them with irrigation water.

Mr Zahra said the work was on schedule and everyone involved was working hard to achieve the very ambitious targets set by Island Hotels Group while ensuring that all environmental policies and quality standards are adhered to and implemented. Mr Zahra stated that the resort would welcome its first guests in summer this year.

Speaking to the media after the tour, which was by any standard impressive, Mr Pullicino said: “You saw just as I did what a marvellous project this is, as has been the process to plan and build it in an environmentally conscious manner. Mr Pullicino said that the work to design the hotel was carried out by the group’s architects and those from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. “This is a good example of how the MEPA, once it sees that a project has been planned seriously and properly, will help the developer,” said Mr Pullicino.

Winston J. Zahra, director operations, sales and marketing accompanied Mr Zahra Senior and Mr Pullicino on this tour.