Bratislava, 27 November 2006

Thanks to investments by a new investor, the Spa in Trenčianske Teplice will undergo extensive reconstruction in the coming years

The Spa in Trenčianske Teplice has a new strong investor – company Arca Capital Slovakia, a.s. During the following five years Slovenské liečebné kúpele (Slovak Healing Spa; SLK TN) Trenčianske Teplice will undergo a large reconstruction and modernisation, in which Arca Capital plans to invest SKK 1.5 billion. The reconstruction of Pax, a two-star spa house, and its change to a comfortable four-star accommodation facility will be the most important change to the Spa; also, a new exterior thermal pool and wellness centre will be built in the SLK TN. By enabling the Spa to offer higher quality services and to lure more home and foreign guests, the investment will influence both the Spa and the entire surrounding region in a positive way.

During the first phase of the project the women’s relaxation zone by the Sina thermal pool will be reconstructed and new dressing rooms will be built. The communication premises between the Sína pool and the Pax spa house will be reconstructed as well. Clients can look forward to a new wellness centre with saunas, whirlpools, massages and a salt cave. For the first time, an exterior recreation thermal pool will be built in the SLK TN. The exterior pool will be connected with the biggest spa houses, Krym and Pax, and it should be available to the public at the end of 2007/ beginning of 2008.

During the second phase, the most significant reconstruction is planned to take place – reconstruction of the two-star spa house Pax and its change into a four-star accommodation facility. Based on criteria and standards that must be met by a four-star category hotel, the number of available beds will be reduced from 266 to approx. 224 beds and the decrease of the number of beds will be accompanied by a significant increase in the comfort of individual rooms and a higher quality of the provided services. The interior will be furnished above-standard and it will meet high aesthetic requirements; the quality of meals will be improved also. It is planned to add one floor to the building during the reconstruction. At the same time, new restaurants, bars and a congress hall will be built in the Pax spa house. A pool with a café and a unique view of the surrounding environment will be built on the roof of the spa house and it will make the stay of every client even more enjoyable. Luxury and an above-standard level will meet even the requirements of the most demanding guests. The hotel will provide a wide range of services to its clients as well; everything under one roof.
Elite spa facilities – the Sína pool with a spring flowing directly to the pool and the Hammam relaxation zone will be completely reconstructed simultaneously with the Pax hotel. Hammam is built in a Turkish style and it was used as a tub-bath at first. It was opened in 1888 and at that time this beautiful structure was the only one of its kind in Europe. Therefore it served as an attraction for the higher society, especially for noblemen and noblewomen and financial magnates. At present, Hammam is available for everybody, it serves as a relaxation zone for the spa guests and massages are given there as well. This European unique place is still one of the most interesting and the most precious relics of the town of Trenčianske Teplice and a pride of the Spa.

During the third phase, the Krym Spa house will be reconstructed and changed from a three-star hotel to a four-star hotel; individual spa facilities in the hotel will be reconstructed as well. After the reconstruction, both Spa houses – Krym and Pax – will provide a wide range of hotel services, as well as services meeting the guests´ personal and business needs. All reconstructions will be made in such a manner that the common operation of the Spa will be affected as little as possible.

Some changes have already been implemented. These include the possibility to take procedures in the Spa for people who are not the guests of Slovenské liečebné kúpele (Slovak Healing Spa) in Trenčianske Teplice. The possibility of using the services by the public as well as by the clients of the adjacent accommodation facilities will come into effect in August this year.

“Thanks to the planned reconstructions, Slovenské liečebné kúpele in Trenčianske Teplice will become a modern facility providing its guests with high quality services, as well as wide relaxation possibilities. However, our investment will not only influence the Spa, guests from Slovakia and abroad will influence the town’s development and its surroundings in a positive way as well,” said Dag Vaškor, the President of the Board of Directors, Arca Capital Slovakia, a.s.

Arca Capital Slovakia, a.s. belongs to a private equity group of Arca Capital operating especially in the field of venture capital in Central and East European regions. Arca Capital has regional representation offices in Bratislava, Prague, London and Kiev. The location of its offices makes it possible to use its international know-how when reviewing investment opportunities to the maximum extent.

The Arca Capital Group administered assets of SKK 1.6 billion in 2005 and achieved earnings (EAT) of SKK 105 million. The most important Private Equity projects implemented by Arca Capital at present include the AQUA GROUP project – investment in the Slovak mineral water filling station and Union Leasing project – investment and consequent restructuring of the Czech leasing company. Significant investments in building company Kharkovmetrostroy and insurance company Nádej (Hope), which has the ambition of becoming a market leader of the Ukrainian life insurance market, have been realized lately in the Ukraine. Arca Capital also realizes other projects in the real estate field in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine.

„Slovenské liečebné kúpele (Slovak Healing Spa) Trenčianske Teplice has been one of the most sought-after Slovak spa treating locomotor system diseases for a long time. Excellent thermal healing springs and a quiet environment create ideal conditions for treatment and relaxation, which is proved by the number of clients that keep visiting the Spa regularly. Thanks to the prepared adjustments we will be able to provide services of a higher quality,” said Peter Prazňák, the President of the Board of Directors of SLK TN.

The main indication group of the spa in Trenčianske Teplice comprises locomotor system diseases, postoperative and traumatic conditions, as well as chronic rheumatic diseases. Indications include also inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases of the locomotor system, organic nervous diseases and inflammations and injuries of the nervous system.

Slovenské liečebné kúpele (Slovak Healing Spa) Trenčianske Teplice have been known for its rich spa history for many years. Preservation of the natural character of the spa town and the sensitive approach to the town’s modernisation excluding industry and any bigger town hustle can join the necessary climate-therapy with the healing mineral springs. A calm natural environment and trouble-free accessibility enable the Spa in Trenčianske Teplice to appeal to a wide circle of clients.

If interested in further information, contact please OMNIPUBLIC, s. r. o., Zuzana Lošáková, tel.: 02/5441 3603, e-mail: zlosakova@omnipublic.sk or Arca Investments, a.s., Monika Dobrovodská, tel.: 02/5825 3510, e-mail: dobrovodska@arcacapital.sk.

 PR – The Spa in Trenčianske Teplice will undergo extensive reconstruction
 PR-TrencianskeKupele_EN.doc