Sports and Recreation Complex, cannery, and yacht club - Chairman of the Chashniki District Executive Committee Alexander Bykov shared plans for the region's development
– Alexander Petrovich, you are not from here, you have been heading the district since March. Have you managed to learn about the potential of Chashniki region?
– I am originally from the neighboring Lepel district. I knew a little about Chashniki district. When I came here, I was surprised by the number of industrial facilities. The Lukomlskaya GRES alone is worth something, not to mention the Expanded Clay Aggregate Plant! After reading the history, I also learned a lot. In Ivansk, for example, there was once the estate of local magnates Volodkovich, who owned a significant part of the district's lands. The "Krasnaya Zvezda" paper mill belonged to them before the revolution. Horse breeding was practiced in Chashniki region. It was interesting to learn about the Chereyskoye principality, the Holy Trinity Church, etc.
The surrounding people also helped me to get to know Chashniki region. The people of Chashniki are very hospitable and responsive. My deputies also help a lot, each in their own place. They are practically all locals, so they care about their native region and want it to look decent at the regional and republican levels.
– When you were appointed to the position, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin set you the task of increasing the investment attractiveness of the district and developing the agricultural sector. What have you done in this direction?
– Many investment projects in the district were developed before me. Among the main ones is the investment project in the woodworking industry of "WoodenKit" LLC. It provides for the construction of sorting, log debarking, sawing, and vacuum drying lines, and the production of furniture board. "WoodenKit" will be located on the territory of the former Chashniki inter-district base. The reconstruction of this building has been underway for two years. The enterprise has attracted direct foreign investment in the amount of 3 million dollars. It is planned to create up to 150 jobs.
Currently, the issue of transferring the complex of buildings of the Grinkovskaya school and the Olsansky kindergarten to the Chashniki Mineral Fertilizer Plant, registered last year, for the organization of sapropel and fertilizer production is also being worked out. 100% of the manufactured products are planned to be exported. At least 50 jobs will be created.
It is planned to complete the construction of the Lukomlsky cannery, established for the production and sale of fruits, vegetables, and fish products, in 2024. This project is under special control, and my work will be evaluated based on its implementation. We will continue the construction of the plant, I think, this autumn.
As for the social sphere, it is, of course, the construction of a new sports and recreation complex with a swimming pool in Chashniki. It began to be built in 2014 with funds from the local budget. Recently, we were included in the state investment program. 840 thousand rubles were allocated. The opening of the sports and recreation complex is scheduled for September 10 – Chashniki City Day.
The most ambitious project in agriculture is the construction of the MTF "Tyapino" (4th commissioning stage) of OAO "Prozemle-Agro". This year, we plan to complete the premises for young livestock. There is a small amount of work left. In addition, we expect the completion of the construction of a thousand-head MTF in Ivansk of OAO "Ivansky-Agro".
– Now is a busy time for grain growers. How is the harvest progressing in Chashnikovsky district?
– For grain growers, this is the time to reap the "fruits" after a year of work. And when you get a good harvest, it's probably the most pleasant thing. It means that it was all worth it.
In total, this summer in Chashnikovsky district, 12,800 hectares of grain and leguminous crops need to be harvested. The larger part, about nine thousand, is occupied by winter crops, which have higher yields than spring crops. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but according to forecasts, we may exceed last year's result this year. Gross harvest – 31 thousand. The harvesting is in full swing.
The Head of State placed special emphasis on the inadmissibility of grain losses. I want to note that strict control over the harvesting campaign has been established at the agricultural enterprises of the district, and mobile groups have been created, which include specialists from various fields. Assigned personnel and equipment from some district industrial enterprises are involved in the transportation and loading of grain. Responsible persons from the district executive committee, my deputies, have been appointed to individual farms. For the most part, they do not even control, but provide the necessary assistance in harvesting. Now, when the global food situation is quite uncertain, we must do everything to maximize the filling of our country's granaries. We are also fulfilling the state order: about 1000 tons of cruciferous crops have already been delivered.
Of course, the focus is on the farmers, those who create the country's food security through conscientious work. I would like to note that all workers are provided with workwear, hot meals are organized for them during the harvest season, and leaders are constantly encouraged for their achievements. At the same time, monitoring of the harvesting progress is carried out, and executive discipline is controlled. We must fulfill the set tasks and harvest everything from the fields qualitatively and within optimal deadlines.
We must not forget about the future harvest today. About 60% of winter rapeseed has already been plowed. The task is to sow 1700 hectares of winter barley.
– Chashniki District is a land with beautiful nature, it has many attractions and historical monuments. I know that several tourist routes have been created. In what other direction will tourism develop in the district?
– The nature of the Chashniki region is amazing and beautiful. It is an excellent place for organizing recreation. There are quite a few agro-ecotourism estates here. Mostly near Lake Lukomlskoye. There is a good plot on the shore of this reservoir, a boat station was located there a few years ago. This is an excellent place to create a recreation center, like a yacht club, with a pier and special hangars for boats. We are looking for an investor.
In addition, there is a health resort from Vitebskenergo, the Yunost summer camp, where three buildings have recently been renovated, and a mini-football field has appeared. Repair work will continue in the autumn. The camp is heavily booked, and it was impossible to get a voucher this year.
Taking into account the possible reorganization, the issue of closing the school in Krasnoluki is being considered. Of course, it is always regrettable when an educational institution ceases to operate in a village. But for 33 students, it is more economical to organize transportation to a neighboring school. Meanwhile, the school building is in excellent condition, so based on it, we plan to open a round-the-clock camp for about 60 people. We will convert classrooms into rooms. There is a good canteen, a stadium, and a sports hall here. We will purchase the necessary equipment and think about how to organize summer health improvement not only for Chashniki children but also for children from other districts.
–When you were appointed, Alexander Subbotin was asked in which year the festival-fair of rural workers "Dazhynki" would be held in Chashniki. It is planned for 2025. Which facilities will the authorities pay attention to first?
–Everyone is eagerly awaiting "Dazhynki" in Chashniki. By this time, we will have a new significant facility, a sports one – a sports and recreation complex. In addition, the list of "Dazhynki" facilities will include some residential buildings that require major repairs, and roads. I believe that even paving all of them within the city is a big undertaking. By the way, this year, in May-July, sections of the road at the entrance to Chashniki from the direction of Novolukoml were completed.
We need to prepare for "Dazhynki" in advance. We will carry out landscaping work ourselves in some areas, for example, around residential buildings.
We are gradually carrying out school repairs in the district. As part of the implementation of energy-saving measures in 2022, about 80 thousand rubles were allocated from the republican budget, and more than 100 thousand from the district budget. Doors and old windows were replaced with PVC windows in almost all schools.
I think that many young residents of Chashniki would like a new registry office building to be built in the city. Currently, it is an extension in the local hotel. We will see how the situation develops.
– What about the bus stations in the district center and Novolukoml? After all, you must agree, they don't look very modern.
– The bus stations in Novolukoml and Chashniki are part of the branch "Transport Enterprise No. 14 of Lepel". I hope that by "Dazhynki" we will also find funds to modernize them a little. After all, a bus station is the face of the city. I want the residents of the district to feel comfortable in their native land.
- Thank you for the interview.