Sport Port is a sports and leisure complex on the Strelka headland in Nizhny Novgorod, opened on 1 June 2019 next to the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. It stands at 1A Betancourt Street, on the grounds of the former river port. The complex covers more than 25,000 square metres and is presented as part of the legacy programme of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[1]

History and opening

The governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin announced plans for the new sports ground in April 2019. It opened in two stages: in early June 2019 two mini-football pitches began working, along with a streetball area, badminton, tennis and yoga courts, a rest and board-games area, a children's playground and rental of roller skates and toy cars. The second stage, closer to mid-June, added a skate park, a beach volleyball area, a rope park and a tennis court. Eleven courts were laid out with FIBA 3×3 markings, also suitable for five-a-side play. The complex was created, laid out and equipped by the sole trader Ilya Tereshkin.[2]

Facilities and the seasons

In summer Sport Port works as a multi-purpose open-air ground for active leisure; besides the sports areas there are spaces for creative work and learning.[2] In winter an artificial ice rink is laid out on the site. The large rink of about 3,000 square metres and the hockey pitch of 1,400 square metres run on artificial ice and do not depend on the air temperature.[3] Experienced instructors give free lessons in figure skating, hockey and winter fitness; equipment can be hired.[3] In winter the site also hosts a fair with food and hot drinks, photo spots, a large LED screen, illuminations and a slide.[4][3]

The winter rink first opened in December of the 2019–2020 season, and the site has worked every winter since. As part of the winter programme the Nizhny 800 agency ran master classes in figure skating, hockey and Nordic walking at Sport Port, as well as tournaments in traditional Russian games — lapta, gorodki, kulya and football in felt boots.[4] In December 2023 the rink opened on the 29th; at weekends it worked from 11:00 to 22:00 with a technical break.[5]

Location and access

The complex stands on the Strelka — the historic headland at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga — immediately next to the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Admission to the rink is charged; there are heated changing rooms with lockable boxes and equipment for hire.[3]

Sources

  1. geometria.ru — Sport Port stadium in Nizhny Novgorod (archived)
  2. NIA Nizhny Novgorod — Sports and leisure ground by the Nizhny Novgorod stadium to open on 1 June (archived)
  3. masterskating.ru — Sport Port rink — Ice rinks of Russia (archived)
  4. GiperNN — Large rink at Sport Port to open in Nizhny Novgorod (archived)
  5. Vremya N — Rink at Sport Port opens in Nizhny Novgorod (archived)