Norilsk Nickel invests RUB 35 m in Zapolyarny indoor hockey rink

The Murmansk Region sports facility meets modern requirements for the quality and safety of sports structures

The indoor hockey rink in the Murmansk Region city of Zapolyarny was built at the initiative of local residents. Specialists erected the metal tent-like structure in just three months, SportEngineering magazine reports. The arena has locker rooms and spectator stands.

The opening ceremony for the hockey rink was attended by Kola MMC CEO Igor Ryshkel, Murmansk Region First Deputy Governor Alexei Tyukavin, representatives of the Zapolyarny administration as well as Soviet hockey player and honoured coach of Russia Sergei Gimayev.

“Today’s event is further confirmation that the company practices what it preaches. I am very pleased that a long-standing dream of Zapolyarny residents has been realized thanks to support from Norilsk Nickel and Kola MMC. Thank you to everyone who took part in this huge project and I congratulate all citizens. Now this fantastic sports complex is yours! Way to go!” Kola MMC CEO Igor Ryshkel said.

For his part, Murmansk Region First Deputy Governor Alexei Tyukavin said he believes the indoor rink is “a gift to residents of the Pechengsky District from Norilsk Nickel and its subsidiary enterprise”.

“The region’s government is doing a lot to develop sports infrastructure in Zapolyarny. Sports and health facilities have opened in Kola and Monchegorsk, an indoor rink in Apatity, an indoor track facility in Murmansk and the Comfort Valley skiing and biathlon complex has been rebuilt. Improving the nation’s health is a major public objective and we are carrying out this task jointly with the region’s major industrial enterprises. On behalf of Governor Marina Kovtun, I express my gratitude to Norilsk Nickel and Kola MMC”, Tyukavin added.