#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The Norilsk new sports center Aika, called after the polar bear cub saved by a norilsk film man Yury Ledin, is getting ready to celebrate its first anniversary. In just a year, the sports hall has become a significant part of the northerners’s life. Today, not only sports, but also large city events, as well as events of regional and federal significance are held here.
Everyone was waiting for the facility construction completion, which lasted for two years – mini- the Norilsk Nickel club footballers, professional athletes and ordinary citizens. Initially, it was about a sports and recreation center for 250 seats, which was supposed to be located on the territory of the Zapolyarnik stadium. But, taking into account the needs of the Norilsk people, it was decided to modify the project.
The construction began in 2018. The facility cost the company 3.6 billion rubles.
The Norilsk Nickel mini-football club needed its own training and playground. For many years, the matches of the Russian championship among Super League clubs were held at the Arctica Sports Palace, which disrupted the training process of children and youth sports school pupils in winter sports – hockey players and figure skaters could not fully engage in these days.
And today the Norilsk Nickel club has a gorgeous facility for training and games. The results are obvious: in 2020 Norilsk Nickel FC won the Russian Cup, in 2021 – it became the national championship bronze medalist. Fans are hoping for an even higher rating for the team this season.
Aika provides an opportunity to practice not only mini-football, but also other sports – from volleyball to badminton. The sports hall has a fitness room with modern American equipment, bowling and other facilities.
This year for the first time in Norilsk on the Aika basis a new section for children in billiards and modern dance was opened. Moreover, it was possible to attract a professional trainer to the classes, whose pupils have repeatedly become prize-winners of regional competitions. The sports hall is a venue for major city events, as well as regional and federal ones.
The sports facility decided to celebrate its first birthday with the Big Football Festival.
The big football legends and of the Russian Football Union representatives are invited. The festival program includes master classes from the stars for the local sports school coaches and pupils, communication with fans, matches for the festival guests with the Russian national team legends.
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Text: Elena Popova, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko
