This September will see Dock 1 transformed into its eventual destiny – a yacht marina. It is being made possible thanks to the HSBC Premier Valletta Boat Show, which will culminate in some 80 yachts being berthed in forlorn Dock 1, in Cottonera.

To complete the picture, a floating pontoon will give access to the boats and should give people an idea of what the marina will look like. While there are bound to be objectors, one can only say that the idea to have a permanent marina there is an excellent one.

One only has to look at the success of the Vittoriosa marina to see that if one is constructed at Dock 1, it will be a successful venture.

The Vittoriosa marina construction led to the development of the quayside, along with the construction of luxury apartments. Yacht marinas, wherever they are built in the world, always have a positive knock-on effect and one also has to say – it creates jobs.

It is by now very clear, Malta is a prime yachting destination and is attractive to both motor-yachts and sail-yachts. The location is good, the infrastructure is also good and the destination in itself, through the Grand Harbour’s entrance is unique.

Apart from the advantages already mentioned, the Grand Harbour is safe, sheltered and should have more than enough space to cater for a good number of new arrivals.

The development of the marina, we have been told, will be complemented by an e10-12 million restoration project of the Knights’ Building and the old British barracks which are in the area.

The buildings, while not much to look at now, will become a much more attractive place, simply by being used. We have already seen the massive positive impact that the restoration of the stores at the Valletta waterfront have had, and as mentioned the restoration of Vittoriosa waterfront.

The area around Dock 1 has long been dilapidated and has been an eyesore to what is one of the most culturally and historically important areas in Malta. The creeks opposite Valletta have seen Malta through some of the toughest times in our history, including the two Great Sieges – one by the Ottomans and the other by the Axis forces in World War II.

The area also went through a good economic boom when shipbuilding and ship repair was the order of the day. But sadly, as years went by and unemployment in the area increased, it got more and more decrepit. It is understood that a consortium was to invest in the buildings but was turned down by the government because the designs were not adequate and no bank guarantee could be obtained. On the other hand, the government said it is necessary to decide what is to be done with them by October.

Refusing the consortium was a responsible move by the government – an old adage comes to mind – “If you are going to do something, do it correctly or don’t do it at all”.

It would be folly to press ahead with work just for the sake of it, only for it to stall and not be completed. Equally, given the importance of the project (as a package) and the historical and cultural value of the buildings, it is much wiser to wait for a design that fits the scene rather than doing something just for the sake of it.