Research station should be ready by 2014

Construction on Phase 1 of the Coiba National Park Research Station will begin in mid-2013.

Rubén Berrocal, executive secretary of the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT), announced that construction will be done in three stages, with an overall cost of $7 million dollars.

Phase 1 will require an investment of $4.6 million, while the other two phases will cost $2.4 million. "We have taken into consideration areas like a general purpose laboratory, library, observatory and conference room for visiting groups," he said.

The station will cover 958 square meters, including the laboratory, dormitories, observatory, nursery and common areas.

Berrocal clarified that work will begin as soon as the process for the legal approval of construction is completed.

As for how long the work could take, he added that Phase 1, which should begin in mid-2013, could last 10 months, and therefore the station is expected to be up and running by 2014.