An air-supported football arena has opened in Vitebsk

Воздухоопорный футбольный манеж открыт в Витебске
A significant gift to the city on the Dvina River, for the celebration of agricultural workers, was the air-supported football arena at the base of FC Vitebsk Central Sports Complex.

An inflatable tent appeared next to the central sports complex. Under the dome, there is a full-size football field with artificial turf. Electricity and gas supply have been installed inside, which allows for training in the cold season when the weather does not permit outdoor activities.

Nikolai Sherstnev, Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, who took part in the opening of the arena, noted that similar structures were built separately in other cities, while in Vitebsk, it was decided to place it at the sports complex base. Through a gallery, without going outside, one can access the main building of the Central Sports Complex, which houses a gym, cafe, hotel, and locker rooms.

– This facility is proof that we must constantly move forward and create new conditions for development in all areas, – emphasized the head of the region, adding that other sports facilities are planned to be built in Vitebsk so that future champions have the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Specialists from Minsk laid the artificial turf, and representatives from Slovenia erected the dome itself. The arena is primarily intended for training. In addition to the main team, reserves, and the FC Vitebsk Youth Sports School, students of the football academy, which opened last year, will hone their skills here.

-- Football is developing at a good pace in the Vitebsk region. FC Vitebsk played in the UEFA Europa League last year, and the Belarus Cup final was held at the stadium. Three trainees of Vitebsk football play in the national team. The new indoor arena will allow training high-level players, and the main team will be able to conduct winter training camps here instead of going to southern countries and spending foreign currency. The federation plans to build two full-size fields with artificial turf at the SDYUSSHOR "Komsomolets" and DYUSSH FC "Vitebsk". In addition, new fields will soon appear in Orsha and Polotsk, – said Yuri Vergeychik, First Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation Association, who came to the opening ceremony of the sports facility with gifts – footballs.

Other guests also came with gifts. Young footballers received new training equipment from the city executive committee, and backpacks with sports gear from FC Vitebsk. Players from the children's and youth sports school tried out the field, asking Nikolai Sherstnev to take the first kick.

The opening ceremony of the indoor arena was attended by Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Subbotin, Deputy Prime Minister, and other distinguished guests.