Nizhny Novgorod residents collected more than 3,200 signatures for the restoration of "Vodnik".

      05 November 2025 16:35 Sports

      Residents of Nizhny Novgorod have launched a collective initiative to restore the Vodnik stadium. An appeal asking city and regional authorities to take control of the sports facility’s reconstruction project has been sent to them.

      According to the Telegram channel "Vodnik. Reboot", 3,243 people signed the letter — not only athletes and coaches, but also concerned residents worried about the stadium’s fate.

      The authors of the appeal emphasize that "Vodnik" could become an important public space where generations meet, a sporting spirit is formed, and future champions are raised. In their view, the facility deserves a new look and should no longer be associated with neglect and ruin.

      "We want our children to be able to play sports in comfortable conditions — both in winter and in summer," the appeal reads.

      Photo: "Vodnik. Reboot"

      The letter also mentions that there is a small group of citizens in the city who oppose the reconstruction.

      "They want to leave our stadium in ruin! How else can one explain their constant complaints and protests? They seem to enjoy running among the ruined stands and over the broken asphalt, waiting for the field to dry after the rain," the authors note.

      Those who signed the appeal urge the authorities not to ignore the problem and not to allow indifference to the condition of "Vodnik". They also hope a solution will be found that satisfies everyone and restores the stadium’s status as a full-fledged sports facility.

      "We want everything here: a football field, an ice arena, running tracks, and a landscaped area. So that athletes have a place to train, and residents enjoy walking in their own neighborhood," the appeal stresses.

      Earlier, Nizhny Novgorod residents described how the new "Vodnik" should look after reconstruction.

      Recall that in the summer the stadium in the center of Nizhny Novgorod was declared unsafe. Access to its territory is closed for safety reasons.

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