By GustavoLeao / 07:20, 28 March 2011 / General Star Trek

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Press Release

In an official function on Friday 25 March, the masterplan for the first Paramount Pictures-branded Theme Park in Europe was unveiled.

Attended by the Executive Vice President for Licensing at Paramount Pictures Michael Bartok, President of the Region of Murcia Ramón Luis Valcárcel and President for Murcia’s Flagship Projects Jesus Samper, the ceremony revealed 2015 as the expected opening date for the hugely significant project.

Destined for a 158 hectare site on the Mazarron/Alhama de Murcia border some 15 minutes from the beach and marina resort of Puerto de Mazarron, the Theme Park will be zoned into different thematic areas inspired by the likes of Star Trek, Titanic and Mission Impossible plus a much larger ‘Lifestyle Centre’ with no less than two five-star hotels, three of four-star status and several more three-star resorts. Also announced were themed shopping malls, restaurants, bars and clubs, a conference centre with the largest meeting room capacity in Murcia – over 3,000 seats – and an open-air auditorium to host 15,000 people.

Chris Mercer, Director of Murcia-based Mercers headquartered in Mazarron, comments, “It is indeed a huge privilege to be the recipient of a landmark Theme Park in the local area that will rival Disneyland Paris and attract millions of visitors each year. It’s also highly encouraging to follow the progress that has been made on the masterplan in terms of design, investment and timescales. Samper estimated on Friday that the project would directly create 10,000 construction jobs and upon opening, many more. Undoubtedly Paramount will have a positive effect locally - not least on the property market and house values. We have been through some hard times but Paramount’s confidence and faith proves that the lure and attraction of Spain will prevail.”

Indeed Bartok reiterated that Spain was “key” to his company and highlighted Murcia’s 300 sunny days each year as a major bonus. Meanwhile Valcárcel was quick to make reference to the current economic climate in his speech saying that the Theme Park was being launched “with the support and enthusiasm of some and the doubt of others”. He felt that in times of crisis what you cannot do is “stand still” and “while the road is tough, the outcome is sure.” It is reported that Flagship Projects and Paramount Pictures have signed the license agreement for 30 years - renewable for an unspecified period.