Ice rinks, ice slides and other winter recreation areas are planned across Astana. Preparations for the season are under way, the city administration said.
Along the Ishim River embankment in the Saryarka district, rinks will be set up, including near the Palace of Schoolchildren, alongside 13 ice slides. Winter venues are also planned in Koktal Park, Okzhetpes Square and other public spaces.
Astana Winter Park is planned near the Abu Dhabi Plaza complex in the Esil district. The linear rink will be 1.4 kilometres long, with around 6,000 square metres of ice. Visitors will be able to skate along the route rather than only going around a conventional rink.
The site is to include heated pavilions, skate rental, family rest areas and decorative lighting. A special ice-maintenance system is expected to keep the rink operating during periods of warmer weather.
In the Sarayshyq district, a rink is planned at Kazak Eli Square, with two more on Zhurgenov Street and in the Presidential Park. A 1,200-square-metre rink is being prepared at Triathlon Park in the Almaty district, with skate rental, a heated rest area, hot drinks and food.
Other winter venues in the Almaty district are planned at the Kuvshin location and in Zheruyik and Zhashtar parks. Rinks are being prepared in Ataturk Park and near the Zhashtar Palace in the Baikonyr district. Ice slides are planned at nine locations, including the Ondiris, Kirpichny and Kazgorodok residential areas and the Qoyandy dacha community.
A rink is planned near Astana Arena stadium in the Nura district. Natural-ice rinks will be flooded once sustained freezing weather sets in. The city administration said it would announce additional locations and opening dates as sites are ready.
