OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2009. Assiduous attention is paid in Belarus to small and medium-sized towns, to creating equal living conditions in cities and villages across the country. This approach to the development of the country will remain in place in spite of the world financial and economic crisis, President Alexander Lukashenko said on 29 December in the course of the inauguration of a new ice arena in Baranovichi, Brest Region.

While on a tour of the Brest Region, the Head of State got familiar with the social situation in Baranovichi. The President focused on what has been done to expand the town’s sporting infrastructure and help improve the performance of the local athletes. 

A new multi-purpose sports centre has been commissioned in Baranovichi. According to the local marketing study and economic estimations, the payback period for the new centre is less than two years.

Alexander Lukashenko toured this centre where, in addition to the ice rink, there are gyms and rooms for doing gymnastics, fitness training and playing billiards; there is also a computer room.

Then the President participated in the inauguration of the new ice arena.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, it has become a tradition in Belarus over the past 15 years that the state makes special presents for residents of specific regions and the country as a whole. Last year, for example, a natural gas pipeline was extended to the Berezino District, Minsk Region; a cycle track was built in Minsk; an ice arena and a wrestling room were opened in the town of Beryoza, Brest Region.

“Every strong family has traditions. It is wonderful that we – the people of the young sovereign and independent Belarus – have established them too. It is also one of the essential attributes of a united and cohesive people,” said the Head of State.

“We remain committed to our traditions in spite of any crises,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “I know I will be criticised severely: while the crisis is raging in the world, new arenas are being built here. I do not even want to get into an argument and dispute with the windbags saying this, because the centre that has been built means additional jobs, over a hundred of them, and a new impetus to the development of the entire area as well as this big town. Finally, it is a direct way to beauty and health.”

Following the inauguration ceremony, the new ice arena hosted an ice hockey game between the team of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the team of the Brest Region as part of the third republican amateur ice hockey competition for the prizes of the presidential sports club. President Alexander Lukashenko also participated in that game.