Yunost Square Gets Dragon and Carousels for 180M

The large-scale transformation of Yunost Square in Yaroslavl has begun as part of the federal project «Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment». Since July 20, access to the square has been closed — the contractor has started dismantling the old playground.

The Yaroslavl Oblast government reported that the main work will be carried out by OOO «PK «Krepysh»». The company from Rybinsk will first dismantle old structures, remove and dispose of construction waste, then carry out earthworks — laying utilities, constructing foundations for driveways, sidewalks, and platforms, as well as installing foundation slabs. After that, paving, electrical installation, installation of lighting poles and video surveillance will begin. The renovation will conclude with landscaping.

OOO «PK «Krepysh»» is a notoriously controversial company from Rybinsk. According to Kontur.Focus, it was founded in December 2016. The director is Oleg Pegashov, and the sole founder is Ilya Lubenin (who is also the CEO of the related company «Company Krepysh», founded in Rybinsk in 2012). Pegashov is also a co-founder of the regional branch of the «Green» party. The enterprise produces sports and play equipment, playgrounds. In 2021, the company won dozens of contracts worth more than 250 million rubles ($2.78 million at current rates), but failed to deliver the largest renovation in Rybinsk and was criticized for the development of the Tveritskaya Embankment in Yaroslavl.

Procurement for various stages and elements of the renovation has already been completed. Here are the main expense items:

• Contract for supply of a six-meter figure of «Ptitsa Govorun» (Talker Bird) and an enclosed children«s slide — 30.068 million rubles ($334,000 at current rates).
• Separate contract for installation of a six-meter three-headed dragon with a TV screen in its paws, tree removal, cable and utility laying, tiling, video surveillance and lighting — 71 million rubles ($789,000 at current rates).
• Supply of six swings and seven mini-carousels for the playground — 6.14 million rubles ($68,000 at current rates).
• Supply of benches and carousels, as well as a play complex with slides near the «Ptitsa Govorun» tower — 35.9 million rubles ($399,000 at current rates).
• Geoplastics and landscaping of the square — 27.112 million rubles ($301,000 at current rates).
• Manufacture and installation of parklets (wooden bench-decks on elevated platforms) — 8.496 million rubles ($94,000 at current rates).
• Manufacture and installation of a six-meter dragon with LED lighting — 7.908 million rubles ($88,000 at current rates).

The total amount currently exceeds 180.5 million rubles ($2.006 million at current rates). The editorial office has sent a request to the Yaroslavl city administration asking for the full planned cost of the square«s renovation.

The technical documentation states: «Each head must contain a speaker that produces the dragon«s roar and a fog nozzle that, together with red-orange lighting, creates the effect of smoke from the mouth.» The dragon will also hold a video screen in its paws — as clarified, it will be provided separately by the customer.

According to the landscaping contract, the work will last just over 300 days from the date of signing, with a break for two winter months. Thus, the renovation is planned to be completed by next summer.