Preserve Chernivtsi Pool, Urges National Olympic Committee President

Call to Save Chernivtsi Swimming Facility

According to Главком: Vadym Guttsait, head of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee, has urged Chernivtsi Mayor Roman Klichuk to prevent the destruction of a swimming pool located near the Bukovyna Stadium. The appeal follows growing concern over the fate of sports infrastructure in Ukraine, particularly amid ongoing war-related damage to athletic venues across the country. According to a report by the publication Glavkom, the issue has sparked alarm in light of recent demolitions of sports sites.

'Ukraine endured another terrifying night. Russia launched another massive strike on our cities, destroying residential buildings and civilian infrastructure and claiming lives.' Vadym Guttsait

Guttsait further called on local authorities, the sports community, civic groups, and concerned citizens to act: 'I urge Mayor Roman Klichuk, local officials, the sports community, civil organizations, and everyone who cares to pay attention to this situation and prevent the destruction of an important sports facility.'

Pool Dispute and FC Bukovyna’s Stance

FC Bukovyna stated that the pool basin is being temporarily used to store soil during stadium upgrades to meet Ukrainian Premier League standards. The club is fully replacing the soccer field, but noted that the so-called 50-meter pool has not existed for roughly 17 years due to hazardous conditions. 'The facility known as the 50-meter pool hasn’t existed for about 17 years,' club representatives emphasized.

According to FC Bukovyna, an official expert technical report confirms the basin’s structural danger: 'There is an official expert technical conclusion: the basin structure is completely unsafe, the concrete is ruined, and the reinforcement has rotted.' The club argues that building a brand-new complex from scratch would be simpler and cheaper than reviving this unheated ruin. 'FC Bukovyna fully supports the idea that our city needs a new, modern Olympic-standard pool,' the club said.

The pool issue has stirred outrage among Chernivtsi residents, who are concerned about preserving the city’s sports facilities. Against a backdrop of alarming news about destroyed sports arenas, stadiums, gyms, and pools across Ukraine, this matter has become especially urgent. During wartime-when hundreds of sports venues have already been damaged or demolished-it is critical to protect those that remain.

The Chernivtsi pool situation highlights the importance of safeguarding Ukraine’s sports infrastructure, particularly in wartime when many sites have suffered. Guttsait stresses the need for collective action to preserve structures that can serve as training bases and development hubs for young athletes. At the same time, FC Bukovyna’s push for a new pool reflects a desire to modernize sports facilities-a key step for sustaining the country’s athletic movement.

The preservation of sports facilities is crucial for Ukraine's athletic future, especially in light of ongoing challenges. In a related effort, the country is making strides to secure international sporting events, such as its ambition to host a Biathlon World Cup stage that would be moved from Russia. This initiative highlights the importance of maintaining and enhancing sports infrastructure during these trying times.