The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has started implementing a program for the installation of covered playgrounds suitable for the development of football, rugby and other sports. During the program for municipalities until 2025. five new covered playgrounds of specified dimensions will be installed in Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Klaipėda, in the city and district of Kaunas.
"Football, rugby and other sports in Lithuania face a big problem of seasonality, the sports infrastructure is not adapted to the cold season. Therefore, we aim to expand the network of playgrounds, improve the conditions for athletes to train even in the cold season. We also want to increase the number of children and adults who play sports, physically active members of the community, and ensure greater availability of high-quality sports facilities for athletes and sports organizations," says Linas Obcarskas, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports.
In the spring, municipalities were invited to submit applications for the program. Municipalities meeting the established conditions could apply for the funds of this program and submit applications for the installation of covered playgrounds. They could submit applications for the installation of both covered inflatable and stationary playpens.
The financing of the program is intended for five projects that will be developed in Šiauliai, Beautiful, Kaunas district, Klaipėda, Panevėžys.
In total, the implementation of the "Program for the installation of covered playgrounds of specified dimensions suitable for the development of football, rugby and other sports" in 2022-2025. provide 8 million euros. Funding for projects is allocated for a calendar year. 1,42 million will be distributed this year. euros.
So far, only three municipalities have operational covered soccer fields of the specified dimensions (105 m x 68 m): Marijampole (1), Kaunas city (1) and Vilnius city (3). There are no covered playing fields suitable for rugby with a suitable artificial surface in the country.
