The Public Council supported the project to renovate the Vodnik Stadium.

      27 November 2025 18:45 Sport The concept for the comprehensive renovation of the "Vodnik" stadium received the support of the majority of participants of the Public Council, whose meeting was held in Nizhny Novgorod. According to the city administration, of the 11 council members present, nine voted to approve Vodnik’s master plan, one voted against, and one abstained.

      The project was presented by Alexandra Bogatenkova, acting director of the Institute for the Development of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Agglomeration. The plan envisages large-scale development of a 4.5-hectare site bounded by Alekseevskaya, Gruzinskaya, Osharskaya and Volodarsky streets.

      The project foresees construction of 11,000 square meters of sports facilities oriented toward youth sports. In particular, the site will include a football field measuring 62 × 42 meters, a basketball court, a workout area, three circular tracks and three sprint running lanes. It also provides for the construction of a three-story sports complex with a year-round ice arena, a gym and a fitness club.

      The developers note that the new infrastructure will be within walking distance for approximately 5,000 children — school pupils and kindergarteners. At the same time, the construction of sports facilities will be the first phase of the overall project’s implementation.

      Council members expressed confidence that the revival of Vodnik’s sports zone will give an impetus to the development of both mass and professional sports in the city.

      Deputy Chair of the Council Oksana Shlykova emphasized that council members were able to study the project in detail. In her words, the key merit of the master plan is its focus on increasing the number of children involved in sports.

      Anton Ermakov, director of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the city administration, noted that the project will significantly expand the capabilities of the Vodnik sports school.

      "Today about 600 children train in six sports. After the project is implemented we will be able to increase that number to 1,500 — almost threefold," Ermakov said.

      Sergey Gorin, chairman of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod, called the presented master plan promising and stressed that it will help overcome the current neglected state of the stadium.

      "The discussion is active, and that’s normal — people care about how the city develops and the conditions in which children will train. Given the proximity of the 'Dynamo' stadium, located just 700 meters away, we have a chance to create a synergistic sports space where facilities will complement one another," Gorin said.

      Earlier it was reported that additional fencing would be installed around the dilapidated stadium.

      It should also be recalled that Governor Gleb Nikitin spoke about the upcoming reconstruction of "Vodnik" during a recent live Q&A.

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