Reconstruction of "Đačko igralište" in Novi Sad – investment worth 158m RSD

Within the scope of preparations for European Athletics Junior Championship (EJP 2009), which will be held in Novi Sad between July 23 and 26, thorough reconstruction of "Đačko igralište" (Pupils’ playground) started on May 8th. It is the facility that will serve as a stadium for training and warming-up of the participants in aforementioned competition.

Total of 158m RSD will be invested in reconstruction of this facility. That money will be spent on construction of new athletic track with four lanes, outer rim of 400 meters and inner rim of 367 meters. In addition, a sprint track will be built, as well as battlefields for jumping (high and long jump) and throwing events (shot put, javelin, discus and hammer).

At the same time, football field will be refurbished, while the stands of that sports complex will be completely reorganized. All works will be finished prior to July 1st, 2009, at the latest.

- "Đačko igralište" is both sports facility and emotional place for all those who studied in Novi Sad or, at least, visited the University “Campus”. Since it belongs to the University in Novi Sad, this reconstruction will contribute to development of the university sports and, of course, creation of conditions for EJP 2009. These are the two goals that will be achieved – said Borislav Novaković, the CEO of the City Development Institute of Novi Sad and the President of the Executive Committee of EJP 2009.

Pointing out that sport is, actually, the way of living, and that athletics is "queen of sports", rector of the University in Novi Sad, Radmila Marinković – Nedučin, reminded that no money had been invested in "Đačko igralište" for two decades.

- In addition to creation of conditions for such important competition like EJP 2009, what is being done at the moment will, undoubtedly, help "Đačko igralište" stay the symbol of both our University and Novi Sad – she added.

Partial reconstruction of stadium "Karađorđe" is also underway. New jumping tracks for long and triple jumps are being built next to the western stands, while the construction of new southeast stands is close to end, and that is where installation of state-of-the-arts color semaphore will start in mid-May.