The major renovation of the sports hall, which had long been in an unsafe condition, has been completed in Lyceum No. 1 in Shyroke. Now almost 500 students have access to a modern space for physical education, training, and competitions at various levels. The project was implemented with the support of Metinvest Integrated Iron Ore and with coordination by the NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future" under a memorandum of cooperation.
The partnership between Metinvest and the Shyroke community has been ongoing for more than 15 years. Before the start of the full-scale war, joint efforts were primarily aimed at improving road quality, equipping public transport stops, renovating the cultural centre, clubs, the Youth Sports School, healthcare facilities, and installing playgrounds in villages across the Shyroke community. Today, the priority is the creation of a safe and comfortable educational environment for children. One of the largest infrastructure projects last year was the major renovation of the sports hall at Lyceum No. 1 in Shyroke.
"The issue of renovating this sports hall had been extremely painful for us for a long time, because for a leading secondary education institution, the absence of a safe space for physical education was unacceptable. Until recently, classes were held in a small hall, which was repaired with the support of Metinvest six years ago. And now we have a continuation of this successful cooperation with the company ‒ a large functional space for sports activities," said Oleksandr KOKUL, Head of Shyroke Village Council.
Currently, 13 educational institutions operate in the Shyroke community, attended by nearly 1,300 children. Lyceum No. 1 in Shyroke is one of the community's largest educational institutions, accommodating nearly 500 students. Creating a modern sports hall for active youth took two years. The NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future" coordinated the renovation work.
"Work began here with a complete roof overhaul. During the work, asbestos-concrete tiles were removed and a new profiled metal roof with an area of 385.5 m2 was installed. Roof safety railings, a drainage system, and lightning protection were also installed. Repairs also covered the area around the building and damaged sections of brick wall masonry. By the end of 2025, the hall itself, changing rooms and sanitary facilities were renovated, heat recovery ventilators were installed, and furniture and sports equipment were purchased," said Olena LESHCHENKO, Director of the NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future."
The new sports hall is already open to visitors. Physical education classes are held here, and the possibility of hosting competitions involving students from other educational institutions is also being considered. This comfortable, modern space will also meet the needs of the lyceum's sports clubs. Football, volleyball, basketball, and martial arts are promoted here.
"Starting in January, district-level 'Shoulder to Shoulder' competitions will be held here. We will involve a large number of children and offer our hall, which today, thanks to our partners, meets European standards," said Viktoriia SINCHEVSKA, Head of the Education Department of the Shyroke Village Council.
