Mashinostroitel Stadium in Pskov Opens After Major Reconstruction

In Pskov, Mashinostroitel Stadium was opened after a major reconstruction by Stroytransgaz. The ceremony brought together Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, and Andrey Turchak, First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, Governor of the Region Mikhail Vedernikov and athletes who would train at the renovated stadium.

The athletes will be able to start training tomorrow. Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated on the completion of the facility and highlighted the importance of the stadium as a major attraction for citizens, so that the youngsters could come and workout. “Here the Governor is creating not just a stadium, but a whole sports cluster... The most important thing is that it will be a major attraction for many youngsters taking their first steps in sports... It is a really special day for the citizens of Pskov," noted the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government. According to him, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin ordered to increase the number of the country’s citizens who systematically go in for sports to 70% and it is feasible.

Mashinostroiltel Stadium was built in 1953 for the same-name football club that does not exist any more. As part of the project, Stroytransgaz has reconstructed a large football field with artificial turf, running tracks and sports sectors, rebuilt big and small stands. In total, the stadium stands have 4,222 seats protected by rain canopies. An administrative building with ticket offices and an entrance group has been erected at the sports complex.

The big stand houses a 114 m long track and field arena, locker rooms, coach rooms, a conference hall and a medical office. On the second floor there are two gyms for aerobic training and weight-lifting, and the third floor has gyms for wrestling and aerobics. There are two more sports halls in the small tribune — a 5-piste one for fencing, and one for cycling.

"The project was really very complex, and design estimates were regularly amended throughout the reconstruction process. But despite this, we jointly... completed the first phase of this project... It will be the largest modern sports centre in the northwestern region," said the Governor of the Pskov Region Mikhail Vedernikov at the stadium opening ceremony.

General Director of Stroytransgaz JSC V.A. Lavlentsev said, "Stroytransgaz GC is one of the largest diversified construction holdings in Russia building facilities required for the country in all regions of the Russian Federation and beyond. The country’s leadership commissions the most significant projects related to the construction of the most important infrastructure, sports and other cultural & social facilities to Stroytransgaz Group. Stroytransgaz GC solves the set tasks in close cooperation with administration of the Russian regions. This is an unequivocal standpoint of the company’s shareholders and management. We share a common cause for the welfare of the country and its residents."

The athletes thanked the attendants for good training conditions and noted that they hope this would accelerate the development of sports.

“I would like to thank you because my sport, athletics, will finally have a place for workouts and finally we will not need to run in parks. Here (inside the large stand), there is everything you need for track and field athletics, tracks and mats,” emphasized a Pskov sportswoman Natalya Spiridonova. She also noted that then she would be able to train for championships and competitions at home.

The official opening of the stadium was preceded by a public acceptance held on 1 September. It was attended by more than 20 representatives of sports organizations, schools and clubs. All public acceptors were satisfied and gave the stadium an A+ mark.

Mashinostroitel will become a training centre for high-qualified athletes, a place for public culture and sports events, recreational sports and activities, cultural events. The stadium will be able to host competitions at the level of the 2nd division of the National Football Championship (PFL). "I encourage you to apply to the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation as soon as possible to include the stadium in the all-Russian register of sports facilities. This European class site shall be included in a single calendar and host international sports events," Dmitry Chernyshenko noted at a business meeting with the Governor and added that the Russian Government would support the construction of the second phase of the sports cluster.