Dmitry Mazepin about the "Yardem" center: "This is a unique project for both Tatarstan and all of Russia."

      The mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin, informed the president of the Russian Federation of Water Sports about the construction of a rehabilitation complex.

      In Kazan, the construction of the health and rehabilitation center "Yardem" is nearing completion. Its core will be a 25-meter swimming pool, designed specifically for people with disabilities, including the blind, visually impaired, and wheelchair users. Mayor Ilsur Metshin told Dmitry Mazepin, the president of the Russian Federation of Water Sports, about this unique facility being built with private donations.

      Photo: Marat Mughinov

      Ilsur Metshin conducted a tour for Dmitry Mazepin around the inclusive cluster on Sereva Street. First, he introduced the guest to the "Dan" sports center for children and adults with disabilities. In the two-story building of the sports center, which covers an area of 1200 square meters, about 500 people train daily, including Paralympians, in 15 sports such as floorball (wheelchair hockey), boccia, football, futsal, volleyball, and basketball. They then inspected the nearby health and rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, featuring a unique swimming pool. "If before the Universiade the number of pools in Kazan could be counted on one hand, today there are already 84. It is no coincidence that we were entrusted with hosting the World Championship in water sports. But we did not stop there. Previously, we first built a pool and then tried to adapt it for people with disabilities. This facility is different. Everything has been thought out from the very beginning for people with disabilities. This is the first pool fully adapted for the blind, visually impaired, and wheelchair users. We believe that everyone should engage in sports, including swimming. Therefore, as the chairman of the Federation of Water Sports, I am pleased to inform you that we are nearing completion and will soon launch this wonderful pool," said Ilsur Metshin to Dmitry Mazepin. The design of the pool basin has been developed with all the necessary needs of people with disabilities in mind. For the convenience of visitors with limited mobility, a ramp for entering the water has been provided, and the floor has a variable depth – from 1.2 to 1.8 meters. The pool has four lanes, each 25 meters long.

      Next to the pool, rooms for health massage, hydromassage, preparatory classes, as well as offices for on-duty nurses and coaches will open. The center's building also includes classrooms, a medical block with treatment rooms, and other facilities for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. The construction of the facility is in the final stages. The center is being built with investments from private benefactors. Interior finishing work is nearing completion: ceiling installation is underway, and walls are being prepared for painting. The pool basin is undergoing hydraulic testing. After that, workers will begin the final finishing – the bottom of the pool will be laid with mosaic, and the area around it will be covered with non-slip porcelain tiles. At the same time, facade work is being completed – cladding material and parapet caps are being installed. The project also includes architectural lighting for the building. In the near future, builders will begin installing decorative turquoise aluminum panels. About 50 workers and 5 units of equipment are involved at the site daily. Overall, construction work at the site is 91% complete. The construction is expected to be finished by the beginning of autumn.

      In the courtyard of the complex, the framework for a fountain has been cast, and a stormwater drainage system has been built. Groundwork has begun for the formation of the roadway. The center is designed to accommodate up to 800 people monthly, not only from Tatarstan but also from other regions of Russia. In conjunction with the existing "Dan" center, the total capacity of the facilities will be about 1,300 people per month, or more than 15,600 people per year.

      "Ilsur Raisovich, thank you very much for your contribution to the development of water sports in Russia. Special thanks for hosting the Russian diving championship in Kazan. This summer, we want to come to you to hold our main tournament in Kazan – the Russian championship in long-distance swimming. We are very pleased to be guests and friends of Kazan. We wish you further success in the development of sports – not only professional but also adaptive sports for people with disabilities. Thank you for the invitation to visit Kazan and see the unique facility, which is partly dedicated to the development of water sports. I believe this is a unique project for both Tatarstan and all of Russia; it has everything necessary for people with disabilities to feel comfortable and strive to return to a normal life," said Dmitry Mazepin.

      Let us remind you that the construction of this unique center began in July 2024. It is part of the unified "Yardem" complex, where the "Dan" sports center for children and adults with disabilities has been operating since 2022. And at the rehabilitation and training center, since 2013, more than 22,700 people with disabilities – the blind, deaf-mute, as well as wheelchair users, people with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and others – have been trained in reading and writing using the Braille system, computer literacy, various crafts, and professions.

      In 2024, near the "Yardem" center on Sereva Street, the first inclusive boulevard in the republic and Russia was opened, covering an area of 3.9 hectares, fully adapted for people with disabilities. The public space was designed with input from residents with disabilities and rehabilitants of the inclusive sports complex "Dan." In the park on Sereva, there are children's and sports playgrounds with special equipment, a stage, a sensory garden, walking areas, a boccia playing area, and chess tables with adjustable seating. The "Good Souvenir" shop sells products made in inclusive workshops.

      The boulevard has undergone extensive greening, and over 100 parking spaces have been arranged nearby, including for people with limited mobility.

      Karina Khuzeyeva

      More news about the event:

      "Everyone should engage in sports": Metshin and Mazepin checked the progress of the construction of the rehabilitation center "Yardem"

      The mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin, conducted a tour for the head of the All-Russian Federation of Water Sports, Dmitry Mazepin, around the inclusive cluster on Sereva Street. 09:59 22.05.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      Dmitry Mazepin on the "Yardem" center: "This is a unique project for both Tatarstan and all of Russia"

      The mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin, informed the president of the Russian Federation of Water Sports about the construction of a rehabilitation complex. The construction of the health and rehabilitation center "Yardem" in Kazan is nearing completion. 09:21 22.05.2026 Administration of Kazan - Kazan

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