The capacity of the Stjepan Radić student dormitory is 4014 beds, and there are currently 3000 to 3300 people in the dorm, said the manager of accommodation of the athletes’ village of the European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016.
The competition, which brought together huge numbers of athletes, also carries accommodation pressures which are higher than usual. Although the job is very demanding, so far everything is going according to plan. EUG participants, their entourages, organizers and volunteers all found their temporary home in Zagreb at the Stjepan Radić student dormitory near the Sava River. To make sure all work is done without delay, Boženko Ćosić, the manager of accommodation of the dorm, holds the reins in his hands. He talked about how things were going so far.
Ćosić has already gathered a lot of experience in the business, managing the accommodation in the dorm for the last nine years. He also enjoys sports, seeing he was a basketball player in the past. Originating from Imotski, he merged his own temperament with the one of his team, which is crucial for successful cooperation in an event as challenging as the Games.
‘Approximately 100 do 105 people perform accommodation-related work, not only cleaning, but work at the front desk as well. Among them, half were hired from somewhere else, like the cooks, who usually work at the Faculty of Economics. The employees of the Student Center are involved too, as well as students, who distribute linens and make sure everything goes OK,’ described Ćosić how the accommodation mechanism functions during the Games.
Everyone knows their obligations and responsibilities, someone’s always there to help, and we have developed a clear set of rules to ensure nothing unforeseen happens. We have also set up punishments for breaking the rules, defining even how much it would cost if somebody broke something.
There was almost no damage so far, only a single damaged wooden door frame and two keys that are unaccounted for – which is an excellent balance five days before the end of the Games.
The dorm’s capacity includes 4014 beds, and there is an average of 3000 to 3300 people accommodated at the dorm during the Games. The goal is that all guests feel well and bring home new beautiful memories.
‘We talked to our maids about security and hospitality, they represent Croatia and our goal is to leave a great impression on people who came here. I follow the media as well, everyone is happy and satisfied, they’re complementing our hospitality and I’m happy for that,’ said Boženko Ćosić.
