2013/1 MANO SAVIVALDYBĖ 2013 NR. 4
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAYOR THAT ENLIVENED SPORTS LIFE IN UTENA OR WHY THE FLU EPIDEMIC WAS NOT DECLARED IN UTENA DISTRICT Famous for industry, well-groomed parks, great beer, with the best mayor of the country in 2013 and one of the oldest cities in Lithuania today Utena is rushing to become a real Mecca for sports and wellness. New sports complexes and fields, modern stadiums and sports halls, swimming pool and a reborn horse sport - it’s just a part of projects that have been, are been and will be implemented providing additional points to the town where is good to live and stay, forming new cultural and sporting traditions in Utena land. It all started from persistence and obstinacy of Utena District Municipality mayor Alvydas Katinas. Due to these characteristics of the mayor in 2009 the multifunctional sports centre emerged in Utena, stimulated new “sporting” ideas and new projects. Moreover, the sports centre has been recognized as the best Lithuanian sports building of 2009. It was declared by the Department of Physical Education and Sports Department that held a competition “Sports Building of the Year”. Multi-Sport Centre - probably the most expensive building in Utena, have cost nearly 40 million Lt. According to the mayor Alvydas Katinas, we should be happy that it did not become into a monument for “stupid” government and similar to Vilnius stadium. In this case, this government is unlikely to be forgiven by demanding people of Utena, sports lovers ... Now the different cultural and sporting events bring together more than one thousand people under the roof of Sports centre, it was difficult to think about it in the past. Let’s mention the professional basketball team of Utena “Juventus”, when people in overcrowded hall are watching matches.
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In 2010 besides the Sports Centre appeared a versatile sport area after using 1.7 million Lt from European Union funds (municipality contributed 7.5 percent), where people of Utena is playing mini soccer, tennis, basketball. The fields with all necessary sports equipment and platforms for viewers let see how their neighbours or family members are playing. Of course, this sporting area is most loved by children and young people, moreover the second ramp (the first - by Dauniškis gymnasium) is installed for skaters and extreme sports enthusiasts. The European Union together with the municipality’s 7.5 percent assigned 120 thousand Lt. To start rolling from the second ramp toward Vyžuonos park is very convenient, because the park is near and 2.5 km built paths for cyclists and skaters in winter time are turning into trails for skiers. So, in big winter and summer sports complex everybody can find something to do as well as every resident of Utena can exercise after work. The mentioned complex embraces the multifunctional play-field in K. Donelaičio street established in 2012. It was installed by Utena District Municipality
which allocated 800 thousand Lt from budget. Because of cold spring up to now hockey fans and skaters are hosting there. As soon as the weather became warmer they will be changed by football, tennis and exercise-loving people of Utena.
Both professionals and amateurs This year Utena will enjoy another sports facility - Utenio stadium - the opening is planned in September after reconstruction. Waiting for the festivities people of Utena consider: if the multifunctional sports centre led to appear the professional basketball team “Juventus”, the new stadium will definitely revive “Utenis” football team. Many residents of the city cheerfully are waiting this recovery still remembering well-aimed attacks and strong kicks of famous footballers. The works of stadium reconstruction today are in the final stage. According to the head of Planning and Construction Department Nerijus Malinauskas, the work has already been done for 10 million Lt, about 7 million are left. As already was mentioned, the reconstruction of Utenio stadium - one of the largest projects implemented by Utena District Municipality. In September, after cutting the opening ribbon it will be the stadium conforming to international standards, placing three thousand football and athletic fans, with the main football field, the modern platforms