Municipal opposition to relocation of boatyards to Emporiko Kentro

The “Kerkyraion Dimos – Corfu 2028” municipal group has expressed its categorical opposition to the planned relocation of the boatyards to the car park on Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, in the area known as the Emporiko,” adding its voice to the strong objections already raised by Central Corfu Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos over the handling of the issue by the Corfu Port Authority (OLKE).

The group says it remains committed to the positions it has expressed both in the Municipal Council and publicly, and proposes that the boatyards instead be installed on municipal property near the town’s wastewater treatment plant. According to the proposal, the site would be granted by the Municipality to OLKE, while the new facility would have to meet all planning, environmental and other legal requirements.

At the same time, the group links the issue of the boatyards with two other outstanding matters concerning the coastal zone. It is calling for a definitive and functional solution for the triangular sailing area of the Corfu Sailing Club, ensuring that neither the operation of the sailing school nor the future development of port infrastructure is hindered.

As for the “Emporiko” it is reiterating its proposal that OLKE should transfer the site to the Municipality as compensation, allowing it to maintain and strengthen its role as a peripheral parking facility. As the group argues, Corfu cannot afford to lose a site of such importance for traffic management at a time when the lack of organised peripheral parking is one of the town’s most serious problems.

The group’s intervention follows the strong public criticism directed by Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos at the OLKE administration. At a recent press conference, the mayor launched a scathing verbal attack on the organisation, accusing it of attempting to create faits accomplis in the town without prior information or consultation with the municipal authorities, describing such a practice as “unacceptable and impermissible.”

This has resulted in a strong convergence of views within the Municipality in opposition to the proposed location. The key question now is whether this opposition will also be reflected in a decision by the Municipal Council, as requested by “Kerkyraion Dimos – Corfu 2028.”

The group stresses that the need to relocate the boatyards is not in question. On the contrary, it believes that their continued operation must be safeguarded, with respect for the professionals, workers and Corfu’s maritime tradition. The disagreement concerns the location and manner of the relocation, as well as what it describes as the absence of an overall plan covering the boatyards, sailing facilities, port infrastructure and parking.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS