#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. A large gym was built next to the first Dynamo stadium in Norilsk, opened during the war years. The author of the project was the architect Konstantin Kashin-Linde.
Here is how Anatoly Lvov wrote about the construction beginning in the book Norilsk Sports Climate:
“On May 5, 1948, the combine head Vladimir Zverev examined the dismantled greenhouse and called engineer Tereshchenko: “We have to use these boards and logs. We’ll give you a brick. Build a large gym, you have a day to resolve preliminary issues. The opening should take place on October holidays”.
The next day, construction began – according to the approved schedule. The machine operators worked in three shifts; at the brick factory they stayed at the stoves for the night: 800 people went out on Sundays, plus brass bands – for the mood…
The construction was carried out in an unusual way: all the combine’s enterprises worked on it – overtime, on Sundays. Active organizations were publicly praised for their participation, while negligent ones were scolded. Already by winter, the second floor walls laying was completed. The sports society Dynamo closely followed this public construction.
The entire construction took a few months. By November 8, 1948, the hall was almost ready. In honor of the Revolution anniversary, a big sports festival was held.
But making the hall a real sports palace continued, and without interrupting its work. Moreover, the House of Physical Education was erected in parts: first, a game room and the left side of the building, and five years later, an administrative three-story extension was added.
In the History Spot’s previous publication, we told that Octyabrskaya square had long been a visual tribune for socialist slogans.
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Text: Svetlana Ferapontova, Photo: Nornickel Polar Branch archive
