Residents of Nizhny Novgorod described how they envision the new "Vodnik".

      09 October 2025 09:55 Sports

      Nizhny Novgorod residents expressed a desire to see a new sports cluster on the site of the unsafe "Vodnik" stadium, featuring an indoor hockey arena, a football field, running tracks and facilities for various sports.

      Such proposals were voiced at the second meeting of the Public Council. The basis for the discussion was the results of a sociological survey developed by specialists from Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University (NNSU). More than 2,700 people took part in the survey, and residents submitted over 10,000 suggestions.

      Organizers noted that residents' preferences largely coincide with the provisions of the master plan being developed for the improvement of the "Vodnik" site. Thus, 20% of respondents supported a new arena, 17.8% supported public sports facilities, and another 16.5% envision running tracks for all at the renovated stadium.

      According to Leonid Streltsov, deputy head of the Nizhny Novgorod administration, the renovated area is planned to include outdoor exercise equipment, volleyball and basketball courts, and new programs for children's sports development.

      In addition to discussing the future sports space, meeting participants inspected the renovated bypass routes created for the convenience of local residents. At the gable end of building No. 3 on Volodarsky Street the sidewalk was widened and the staircase refurbished. Another staircase was added between the buildings at 15 Osharskaya Street and 11 Volodarsky Street — it was installed at residents' requests.

      Recall that on August 29 the Nizhny Novgorod authorities declared the "Vodnik" stadium unsafe and closed access to it. Subsequently, a Public Council for the "Vodnik" stadium was created, headed by well-known Nizhny Novgorod athlete Natalya Sadova.

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