In Irkutsk, a modern multipurpose sports ground appeared on the site of an abandoned vacant lot as part of the Sport in the Yards project. The new court with safe rubber surfacing is suitable for soccer, volleyball, basketball and hockey, and residents already call it a long awaited place for active recreation for children and adults. Soon they plan to install pull up bars and a table for table tennis nearby, continuing to revive yard sports traditions.

A modern flat sports facility on the site of an abandoned area appeared thanks to the Irkutsk City Duma project “Sports in the Yards.” The uniqueness of the new courts lies in their safe use. Modern polyurethane rubber surfacing instead of gravel fill and chain-link fencing will help children avoid injuries. In addition, they are intended for various sports and different seasons, for example, football, volleyball, and basketball in summer, and hockey in winter. As the children themselves note, with the appearance of such a rink they no longer have to wonder where to spend their free time doing what they love.
The cost of such a 16*30 facility was about 2 million rubles. This year, 47 million rubles have been allocated in the city budget for the installation of 25 rinks.
“Here, on the universal sports ground, children and adults will be able to play volleyball, basketball, tennis, and mini-football. Sports strengthen both body and spirit, prolong life, and create a great mood. It is precisely such people — healthy, beautiful, young, and enthusiastic — that Irkutsk residents should be and will be,” said Igor Borisov, Chairman of the Committee on Social Policy and Culture, in his welcoming remarks.
Not only young Irkutsk residents, but also their parents, grandmothers, and grandfathers took part in the festive program. Various school creative groups also came to congratulate everyone gathered for the long-awaited event on the shared celebration. During the event, Alexander Khankhalaev thanked everyone who took part in the construction and improvement of the sports ground. Now the City Sports and Methodological Center and the residents themselves will monitor the condition of the facility.
“Last year, residents approached me with a request to install a sports rink on the site of an abandoned vacant lot. This ground has become a great gift for both children and adult residents of the district. It is symbolic that it is located on the border of the Raduzhny microdistrict and the 3rd settlement of the HPP. The next stage will be to install the same rink in the Energetikov settlement. With this project, we must revive the traditions of courtyard sports,” said Duma deputy Alexander Khankhalaev.
In the near future, as the deputy assures, during the improvement of the area adjacent to the rink, sports facilities will appear nearby — pull-up bars and table tennis.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk City Duma