News
Mezaparks Open-air Stage reconstruction contract is concluded
On 20 April, a contract on the reconstruction of Mezaparks Open-air Stage was signed on the same stage. This contract provides for the adaptation of the spectators area and the open-air stage for the XXVI Nationwide Latvian Song and the XVI Dance Festival in 2018.
“Today I can say with justifiable pride that we are moving towards our collectively set goal. Now it's the time for Mezaparks Open-air Stage, which as constructed in the 1950s and is the cultural icon and symbol of Latvia, to be revived in a new, 21st century quality. After the implementation of this project, not only the cultural sector of Riga but also of the entire Latvia will obtain a contemporary venue for the organisation of events of various types and content”, indicated the Deputy Chairman of Riga City Council Andris Ameriks in his speech.
“Today, we are one step closer to the dream of the entire Song Festival movement – a new, modern Mezaparks Open-air Stage. Cultivators of the Song Festival tradition have actively participated in the development of the open-air stage design and provided professional consultations, so that this building of the century would comply with all the artistic requirements. Although today we are witnessing a truly historical event, we as organisers of the festival will actively follow the entire construction process also in the future,” declared the Director of the Latvian National Cultural Centre Signe Pujāte.
At the solemn event of signing the contract, the participants were also addressed by the Honour Chief Conductor of the Song Festival Edgars Račevskis and the Artistic Director of the closing concert of the Song Festival and the Chief Conductor of the Festival Mārtiņš Klišāns.
The reconstruction agreement was signed on behalf of Riga City Council by the Director of the Property Department Oļegs Burovs, the Chairman of the Board of LLC “RERE Būve” Valdis Koks, the Members of the Board of JSC “LNK Industries” Jevgenijs Locovs and Davids Lipkins. It is planned that the first stage reconstruction works will be commissioned on 18 June 2018.
After the solemn signing of the contract, Mezaparks Open-air Stage was filled with voices of Riga Dome Cathedral Boys' Choir.
The solemn process of signing the contract was also participated by the Chairwoman of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of Riga City Council Eiženija Aldermane, the Chairman of the Board of LLC “Rīgas meži” Aivars Tauriņš, architects Juris Poga and Austris Mailītis, and representatives of institutions involved in the project.
Reconstruction of Mezaparks Open-air Stage will be implemented according to the local design of the culture and recreation park Mezaparks, approved by Riga Municipality in 2013. If the currently existing area of territory of the festival open-air stage comprises 91,997 square metres, it will be increased up to 146,430 square metres in 2018, after the reconstruction.
In parallel to the construction works of the open-air stage, the infrastructure necessary for ensuring the festival will also be constructed – power supply, water supply, sewerage and rainwater drainage networks in Ostas Avenue and Atpūtas Avenue; in Jančevska Avenue up to the green theatre; helicopter landing area for emergency situations; a new access road from Viestura Avenue to the existing parking lots for buses of participants.
New participant gathering places, water connection points, additional mobile toilets and travelling trade venues will be installed along Ostas Avenue and Atpūtas Avenue. It is also planned to ensure electricity along Ostas Avenue.
If the current capacity of stands is 7,510 choristers, the capacity in 2018 will be 9,802 choristers, for 2,292 of which wooden stands will be installed, whereas the new area of the spectator field will be 22,197 square metres with seats provided for 30,557 spectators instead of the currently available 23,000 seats.
It is also planned to install four towers, which will ensure lighting of the open-air stage and will be equipped with radio and television connection shafts. Moreover, it is planned to construct two-level premises under the new spectator field, where toilet facilities will be provided for ensuring the needs of 30,000 spectators, as well as areas for various trade venues, so that the noise created by these facilities won’t interfere with the concert acoustics. Medical stations and information centre will also be placed in these premises.
Costs of the first stage reconstruction works of Mezaparks Open-air Stage, including value added tax, constitute 32 million euros. 43% of the financing are intended to use for the spectators field, 22% – for equipment of the spectators field, 25% – for access roads, and 10% – for external engineering networks.
On 11 May 2016, upon Riga Municipality and Latvian National Cultural Centre signing a contract with architect bureaus of Juris Poga and Austris Mailītis on the development of construction design, works on the reconstruction project of Mezaparks Open-air Stage were resumed.