OREANDA-NEWS. On 03 March 2009 was announced, that in Lahdenpohja a capsule was laid in the foundation of the future sports and recreation center. The State Committee of the RK on Physical Training and Sports Chairman Maxim Antipov, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation Victor Patrushev, representatives of the United Russia party have taken part in the ceremony.

In 2010 in Lahdenpohja there will appear a modern sports and recreation center. It will be a brainchild of republican authorities and the United Russia party. Project of the building which will have two gyms (a weight-room and a universal gym), a cafe, a sickroom, a referees' room, is intended for 200 spectators. Today the construction site is already chosen, it is assigned the cadastral number, construction documents are being prepared. According to the contract, by August the republic should finish the preliminary works completely: to hook up utilities, sewer system, electricity, to to lay the foundation. Funds for these purposes in the amount of 60 million roubles will be appropriated from the budget of Karelia. The same amount will be also appropriated by the federal center. In turn, it undertakes to establish metal structures and to fit the complex with modern equipment. All works, according to the schedule, will be completed by 2010, the anniversary year for the republic. This sports object, as Maxim Antipov is sure, will allow to run high rank competitions – both the All-Russia and international tournaments.

Recently, on the eve of the New Year, a gym opened in the settlement Hiitola of Lahdenpohja region. This project, thanks to efforts of authorities of different levels was included in the Development of Physical Culture and Sports of the Russian Federation federal program, the sub-program of the United Russia party, and has received additional financing. The object was constructed by common efforts (8 million roubles invested by the local authorities, 11 million - by republican authorities, and 15 million roubles - by federal authorities). Now it is a universal gym with modern flooring, basketball stands, volleyball net, gates, the wall bars, as well as an exercise room and shower cubicles. It offers training both to the sportsmen, and to the population of the settlement.