Residents and city authorities discussed the future of "Vodnik".

      20 September 2025 11:00

      [206]

      Another meeting was held in Nizhny Novgorod between city administration representatives and residents of the houses located near the "Vodnik" stadium. The main topic of discussion was the future of the emergency sports facility. This was reported by the mayor's press service.

      Artur Shtoyan, Director of the Department of Social Communications and Youth Policy, recalled that previous meetings had already taken place with local residents, including on the stadium grounds. He emphasized that communication with citizens would continue in a format convenient for them. Shtoyan also reported the creation of the Vodnik stadium Public Council, headed by Olympic champion Natalya Sadova. The council's first meeting has already taken place, and the next will be held in the near future.

      The technical condition of the stadium was described by Anton Ermakov, Director of the Department of Sport and Physical Culture. According to him, an expert assessment showed 90% wear of the infrastructure. The sports club building, the football field, the running tracks and the stands were declared unsafe. Partial closure of the facility was impossible, so the site is completely closed, a state of heightened readiness has been introduced, and security is being strengthened.

      Ermakov noted that all children who trained at the stadium were transferred to other sports schools with better conditions. Constant contact is maintained with parents. Residents, including Valentina Korshunova, agreed that closing the facility was a necessary step.

      There was also an opinion voiced that the renovated "Vodnik" should be accessible not only to children but also to adults. Anton Ermakov assured that the stadium will retain its sports orientation and that no other options are being considered.

      The meeting also discussed the master plan being developed by the Institute for the Development of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Agglomeration. The project's priority remains the preservation of the territory's sporting function. It is planned to create a football field with running tracks, outdoor and indoor courts, an ice arena, and sports halls for various sports. The facility should operate year-round and be accessible to everyone.

      Residents also asked when the master plan would be published. Artur Shtoyan assured that communication with the population will continue regardless of the stage of document preparation. Meetings will be held regularly, including on the TOS platform and within the Public Council.

      At the end of the meeting, the head of the Nizhny Novgorod district, Alexey Rybolovlev, presented alternative routes that will replace the passage through the closed stadium grounds. Routes via Alekseevskaya and Gruzinskaya streets, as well as via Volodarskogo and Osharskaya, are being proposed. According to him, the additional travel time will be no more than two minutes. Expansion of sidewalks and repair of the staircase are also planned.

      District residents Valentina Korshunova and Valentina Mochalina thanked the administration for the open dialogue and expressed support for the further development of "Vodnik." They emphasized that they are ready to participate in discussions and support the youth who will be involved in the renovation of the sports facility.

      Recall that the "Vodnik" stadium was closed on August 29 after being declared unsafe. As part of the reconstruction, the demolition of 14 structures and the construction of a new sports and wellness complex are planned.

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