Narva's Äkkeküla Center to Get Nearly One Million Euros for Development; Children's Playground Replacement Delayed

Narva's Äkkeküla center is preparing for a major upgrade thanks to European funding. The total project cost is about one million euros, with 70% covered by an EU program and 30% by the city budget. As Sergey Gorlach, head of the Narva Linnaarendus agency, stated, the funds will be used to furnish the new center, update equipment, and expand sports facilities. Planned purchases include furniture, café equipment, sports machines, snow cannons, and machinery for creating ski trails. Additionally, a new forest trail will be built. Most equipment will arrive by the end of the year. The forest trail construction will take longer due to design and permit requirements.

At the same time, residents are concerned about the closure of the children's playground on Orekhovaya Gorka. Gorlach explained that the playground was installed about ten years ago and its plastic parts have deteriorated. The manufacturer ceased operations in Estonia in 2022, making it impossible to replace individual parts—a completely new playground is needed. However, immediate replacement is not possible because the municipal organization must secure funding and follow all legal procedures. Gorlach added that the new playground will be identical to the old one.