Residents of Irkutsk were left without a Ferris wheel

In Irkutsk, the Ferris wheel loved by residents quietly disappeared, for over 20 years it let people see the city from 27 meters high. The ride had long outlived its service life, failed certification, and there was no money to dismantle it, now it has been sent to scrap metal collection points. Why was the symbol of childhood removed so quietly and what will happen to the Central Park of Culture and Recreation next, in the report.

See the city from a height of 27 meters. The "Ferris wheel" was a favorite attraction for both children and adults for more than 20 years. Now city residents no longer have that opportunity. Experts had spoken more than once about the poor condition of the attraction — due to its advanced age. In the end, the wheel stopped, and now the symbol of childhood has disappeared altogether — quietly and unnoticed.
Svetlana Dombrovskaya, Head of the Department of Culture of the Administration of Irkutsk: «I myself am very upset. I remember the period when there were 2 wheels in Irkutsk: there was a wheel in Paris Commune Park, which, by the way, was larger than this one. On one side was a wheel — on the other side. When, after going up, one could watch those on the other wheel, waving from the highest point of that wheel»
The Ferris wheel’s service life ended 10 years ago. Every year a special commission extended the permit for its use. Last year the attraction failed certification, but it was impossible to dismantle the structure right away — the budget had not allocated funds for removal — about 200,000 rubles. Funding appeared in 2009, and the attraction was dismantled in a few days.
Without the Ferris wheel, the central park of culture and recreation seems to have emptied out. Now the attraction is at scrap metal collection points.
There are no other attractions left in the park. Only a private children’s playground. Its owners rented the space until 2010. The Central Park of Culture and Recreation was closed for reconstruction. City authorities say they decided to restore justice. And after 50 years of the park of culture and recreation existing on the site of the former Jerusalem Cemetery, to create a quiet park area. According to the project, it should appear by 2011. And all the attractions were ordered to be moved to the Second Irkutsk. But nothing was ever moved to the city park, which used to be called Komsomolsky.