Ilsur Metshin on the construction of the Fizra Sports Center: «It is a good place to come after work and take up sport»

The Fizra Sports Center will open in September in the Salavat Kupere residential area. The installation of facade glazing and equipment is being completed. The sports venue includes a football pitch, a paddle court, a basketball and volleyball court, a gym, and boxing, yoga, and dance rooms. About 600 people will be able to train here daily. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin inspected the progress of construction. 

«When we won the bid for hosting the Universiade in 2009, there were 323 sports venues in Kazan. Today, there are 644, which is almost twice as many. Back then, about 13% of our residents regularly practiced sports, while now 68% of Kazan residents lead a healthy lifestyle. These sports venues in residential areas will only increase this number», – said Ilsur Metshin. 

According to him, the facility will be better than the original design after completion. «You have created a technologically advanced facility with the most efficient use of every square meter for various sports activities and with a beautiful aesthetical design. It is a place where people can come after work and take up sport. I believe that this desire will be shared by the residents of Salavat Kupere. It is very important that this amazing venue was built as part of a public-private partnership in such a densely populated neighborhood», – the Mayor said. 

The main construction work has been completed. Presently, the exterior glazing of the facility is underway. 

The artificial turf pitch was laid, and its final preparation for operation is underway. 

The new sports venue, with an area of over 4,000 square meters, will be able to serve up to 600 people per day. The first floor will accommodate an artificial turf pitch, a paddle court, and a basketball, volleyball, and futsal arena. The second floor will include a gym, boxing, yoga, and dance rooms, as well as coaching rooms and a medical office. 

One of the unique features of the complex will be its multi-purpose sports arena. The installed LED screen and the ability to quickly set up a stage will allow hosting cultural events here. 

Special attention was paid to the playing surface. The floor was made using the same technology as the training grounds for Russia's Olympic basketball teams. It has a waterproofing layer, a two-centimeter shock-absorbing rubber cushion, two layers of plywood, and a finishing layer made of maple, one of the most expensive and technologically advanced materials for sports arenas. 

The sports venue will be used by trainees of six sports schools, two youth clubs, as well as elderly people. The center will feature basketball, volleyball, football, boxing, kickboxing, paddle tennis, yoga, and other activities. 

The facility is being built as part of a public-private partnership, therefore half of the operating hours will be dedicated to free classes for Kazan sports schools, while the other half will be reserved for commercial groups.