Past

In 1995 at the working meeting of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) leaders with Alexander Filipenko, heading the region from 1995 to 2010, the collaboration protocol was signed. This protocol marked the main stages of the biathlon development in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Involvement of children and youth in biathlon became a priority. That is why in June 1996 the construction of the Winter Sports Center began.

While designing and constructing the new sport complex the experience of the competition organization in accordance with the Olympic program was taken into account and the most up-to-date technologies were used.

In 2000 Winter Sports Center began its year-round functioning. It includes the sport school meant for 300 children and 15 coaches; stadium, which seats 10000 spectators; shooting range area that contains 30 electromechanical targets KES 2008. Total length of the course is 10 km. Team cabins for the prestart preparation for the sportsmen were built on the center’s territory as well as 30 commentary positions, press-center with two halls meant for 200 work places, a room for press-conferences, equipped with the system of simultaneous translation.

Moreover, Winter Sports Center includes a 3-star hotel “On Seven Hills”. It is a home for the participants and guests of the competition of different levels that are held in Khanty-Mansiysk up to now.

The center in Khanty-Mansiysk got the “A” license, which gives the right to host World Championships Biathlon among adults. At that time it was the only Winter Sports Center of such a level in Russia. Nowadays there is suchlike center in Ufa (Republic of Bashkortostan)

Winter Sports Center got the new impetus in development in 2006 when it was decided at the IBU Congress that Khanty-Mansiysk would host World Championships Biathlon 2011. The changes in requirements of the conditions for the major international competitions led to the necessity of the Winter Sports Center reconstruction. According to the designers’ idea the infrastructure of the Center should be altered in two stages. The first stage ended in March 2010 right before the start of Biathlon World Cup final stage.

Reality

The first stage project included reconstruction of the Winter Sports Center and increasing the number of the stands as well as building of the new fans’ areas. Previously the North Stand could seat 400 people, but now the number of seats increased up to 2, 5 thousands.

Right above the North Stands there are commentary positions. Additional team cabins were built in the middle of the Center, office and technical rooms became more comfortable.

The first stage of the center renovation also changed the course. Now it is more complicated especially on entering the shooting range where two new 30-degree slopes were added. Besides the major part of the race takes place in front of spectators, while formerly the biathletes were out of the viewers’ sight.

On February 20, 2011 the second stage of the Center reconstruction was finished. In the run-up to the IBU World Championships Biathlon 2011 the stadium was completely ready. Now it seats more than 12 000 spectators. The South Stands was extended; supporters’ areas were placed along the ski tracks.

In accordance with the modern international requirements the installation of the outdoor communication networks has ended. It allows providing an efficient usage of the communicational resources.

Ski tracks were extended from 6 to 10 meters. Mass-start and relay start areas were replaced behind the shooting range area. It allows spectators to see the biathletes at the ski track before they reach the main course. Team cabins were renovated, the south passage that connects coach area with the new start area was built.

The changes were made to the lighting and TV shooting. At the present moment the power of lighting at the stadium is 1200 luxes and 1000 luxes along the ski tracks and TV shooting areas.

For the TV companies’ specialists and periodic journalists work the spacious conference hall meant for 150 Mass-Media representative working places. The new press-center building is a fast-built, full-function, 2-storeyed pavilion that has an area of 1 200 km2.

A mobile pavilion for spectators is installed behind the North Stands. There are shops where everyone can buy souvenirs, drink hot tea and taste Russian cuisine.

It is worth noting that on December 2, 2010 at the Ugra Government sitting the governor of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Natalya Komarova suggested to name the Center in honour of Alexander Filipenko. Now the sport complex is entitled Winter Sports Center named in honour of Alexander Filipenko.

Future

One more stage of center’s reconstruction is planned. The so called third stage presupposes the adaptation of the sport complex for hosting the competitions in cross-country skiing.