There will be a new rhythmic gymnastics hall, the funding is entirely state -owned

The expansion of the rhythmic gymnastics hall at the National Sports Complex « Rakovski » in Sofia should begin by the end of 2025. This was jointly announced by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the management state company « National Sports Base » EAD and the Bulgarian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics.

The project, called « in the clouds », envisages the construction of a brand new facility over the existing building, built in 1969 and reconstructed in 2005.

« A brand new volume will be built, constructively unrelated to existing buildings. It will include a 70/28 meter training room and a light height of 13.5 meters, as well as a preparation and rest area for the competitors. There will be four training rugs, as well as everything you need for the training process and rest, » explained one of the authors. Ivaylo Petkov.

The new hall will be functionally and communicated to the existing training base of the national rhythmic gymnastics team of all ages and will meet the latest requirements of the International Federation (FIG) for training and competitions.

The Minister of Sport Ivan Peshev has announced that the construction will be financed entirely from the budgets of the MMC and the NSB, without specifying specific amounts and deadlines for implementation. As early as the end of 2018, by a decision of the Council of Ministers, the capital of the National Sports Base was increased by BGN 1.5 million. It was precisely for the construction and expansion of the rhythmic gymnastics hall in the Rakovski Complex. Even then, this money was transferred to the account of the company and the chairman of the rhythmic gymnastics Federation Iliana Raeva confirmed that they were available and did not have to wait.

« We will train in the hall while the construction goes. Let me not say any timeframe, but as the farthest possible first dig is considered September. From six to nine months it will be construction, it is dry construction with metal structures. Next year, by the end of summer I think we will have a new one. They and the Sports Ministry will be made with state money that is guaranteed – for this construction and for the hall you have seen.

The 7-year anticipation of the project was due to a misunderstanding between the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior, which owns the land around the gymnastic hall. However, the new concept of construction over the existing facility, not around it, eliminates the need to establish a right of construction by the Ministry of Interior in favor of the MMC.