Unfinished Chernomorsky Ice Palace in Novorossiysk to be reconstructed

Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko confirmed on January 23 that the Chernomorsky Ice Palace will undergo reconstruction rather than completion of the previously started construction. He said the authorities plan to announce the project«s implementation timeline in February.

Currently, it is a reinforced concrete square with a total area of just over 10,000 square meters on a concrete stylobate. At the end of July 2025, it became known that they wanted to demolish it. Later, however, the authorities promised to finish it by 2028.

The mayor explained that after the work, the facility will effectively become new and will fully comply with current safety standards and requirements. As a result of the reconstruction, they plan to preserve the swimming pool basin, but the structure of the diving platform will be completely changed. In addition, they promise to bring all elements that do not meet safety requirements up to standard, and the building«s facade will be completely dismantled.

Kravchenko also reported that at the end of 2025, the facility was transferred to the main construction department of Krasnodar Krai along with the results of a re-examination. This was carried out by a new general contractor, who identified serious structural changes that could affect the palace«s safety.

Construction of the Chernomorsky Olympic Sports Palace began in 2009 — 16 years ago — but the project was repeatedly halted due to financial problems and changes in contractors. Over 2.7 billion rubles (approximately $30 million at current rates) were allocated for its construction. However, 1.1 billion rubles (approximately $12 million at current rates) were returned, according to the regional administration.

Initially, the complex was to include a swimming pool, an ice arena, and courts for team sports and martial arts. Over the years, the completion deadlines have been postponed several times. In 2025, the regional authorities stated the need to develop a new project and admitted that reconstruction and construction work could take up to three years.

Read more about the project«s history on the website.