The organizing committee for the preparation and holding of "Dazhynki-2014" visited Horadok

The meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the republican festival-fair of rural workers "Dazhynki-2014" with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Rusy, representatives of all ministries, and regional structures began at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, and continued directly in Gorodok, which now resembles a large construction site.

As Mikhail Rusy noted, a basic work program has been created for the festival's capital, which allows for assessing the preparation process for specific facilities and considering the feasibility of using financial resources.

– Everything must be done well, but with cost optimization in mind. The division – "this should be done by the region, and this by the republic" – is unacceptable. We solve all issues through joint efforts, starting with the ministries that have certain facilities under their jurisdiction, – emphasized Mikhail Ivanovich.

The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, Alexander Atyasov, reported that the previously declared costs of 2.5 trillion rubles were revised, and options for savings were considered. As a result, 435 billion rubles will be required from the regional and republican budgets, with the remainder to be covered by the enterprises' and departments' own funds and sponsorship investments. A new general plan for Gorodok, as well as for large settlements in the district, such as Pal'minka and Bychiha, has been developed. Currently, thermal renovation of buildings and residential houses, roof replacement, and work on utility, culture, trade, healthcare, physical culture, and sports facilities are being carried out in the district center. However, there are issues that raise questions.

Among them is the agricultural technical college, for which funding sources have not yet been determined. Meanwhile, according to the chairman of the regional executive committee Alexander Kosinets, special attention should be paid to vocational education institutions.

– As for the college, it is necessary to modernize not only the academic building and dormitories, but also workshops, garages, and the tractor fleet. It is important in what conditions we train tractor drivers-machinists, milking machine operators, and workers of professions that the country so desperately needs today, – believes Alexander Nikolaevich.

Mikhail Rusy agreed and instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to help modernize the agricultural technical college. The educational institution has already prepared the design and estimate documentation at its own expense.

Sports facilities also caused debate, particularly the Physical Culture and Sports Complex (FOK) and the ski-roller track. Work has already begun within the FOK, which will house a swimming pool. However, Mikhail Rusy expressed uncertainty about whether the expensive track could pay for itself. The facility is indeed costly, as it is planned to be built to world standards. The complex will serve as a base for training and competitions for both domestic and foreign athletes. Moreover, the complex already has a hotel. According to the calculations of the regional executive committee's department of sports and tourism, the facility will pay for itself, considering that our neighbors are particularly interested in Belarusian sports facilities in roadside regions, as exemplified by the popular Ice Arena in Orsha among Smolensk residents.

– There is a unique terrain here, snow lies until May, we need to take advantage of this opportunity to train our national team and prepare young Olympians. This facility is needed by our country, it will become a second "Raubichi", – is confident Alexander Kosinets.

Work is in full swing in the central square – readiness is already 50%, and the reconstruction of the "Rodina" cinema is underway here. Equally important facilities include the adjacent square, the children's park with attractions, and the Gorozhanka River floodplain, where a lot of work will have to be done to create a walking area, emphasized Alexander Atyasov. As for departmental buildings – the court, prosecutor's office, Ministry of Emergency Situations, RUES, Investigative Committee, and Ministry of Taxes and Duties – the issue of their renovation should be worked out with the ministries. It is necessary to repair and complete the existing churches; a proposal was made to involve sponsors in this.

The market in Gorodok remains a complex issue, which currently does not meet sanitary or fire safety standards and spoils the aesthetic appearance of the city center. One option is to equip a market for 150-200 stalls on the basis of buildings belonging to the cannery, which are currently not in use. There are also areas for car parking and storage. There is no doubt that decent conditions must be created for entrepreneurs to work. By the way, this issue has already been discussed with them several times during meetings in Gorodok.

Much needs to be done to put in order the roads leading to Gorodok and within the district center itself, including replacing the road surface, widening the roadway, and arranging lighting, storm drains, and sidewalks. The highway from Vitebsk to the festival capital will be handled by "Vitebskavtodorstroy"; its renovation will cost 42.9 billion rubles, and the design and estimate documentation is currently under expert review. Along the highway, land reclamation work is already in full swing, clearing land from shrubs to bring it into circulation.

– Melioration work needs to be carried out in the regional center as well, as there are waterlogged areas, including near the Gorozhanka floodplain. We need to think about sites for housing construction so that the city continues to develop. This year, we will bring 10,000 hectares into circulation in the district to revive abandoned lands, – noted Alexander Kosinets.

They also discussed the reconstruction of dairy farms, a poultry farm, the fate of the flax factory, which needs to be repurposed, and the opening of the "Belvest" production workshop. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee emphasized that this will help create jobs with decent pay, so that people do not have to leave to earn money. The region's natural potential and its geographical location should also be used – to build roadside service facilities, hunting lodges, and agro-ecotourism estates on the shores of lakes.

The Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Health not only to carry out repairs of its facilities but also to equip the district hospital with modern equipment and pay attention to all outpatient clinics. The Ministry of Culture was instructed to consider the possibility of opening a 3D cinema and equipping the House of Culture with new equipment.

– We need to think about how the facilities will be utilized in all areas, – emphasized Mikhail Rusy. – To work out, where possible, the issue of cost optimization, and focus efforts on priority facilities. Everything should be done well, soundly, but without excess.

Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"