Two bus terminals with capacities of 4,500 people a day will be built in Astana by 2017. This decision was made at a meeting of city authorities where the latest presidential address was discussed. “By 2017, a new railway station, two bus terminals that can handle 4,500 people per day and a passenger terminal of the airport with four gates with a capacity of 1,500 passengers during rush hour will be built in Astana. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on two priorities. The first is development of the public transport system and making sure that its fleet remains up to date and efficient. The second is completion of the second ring road by 2016,” Astana Mayor Imangali Tasmagambetov said at the meeting. Along with the development of road infrastructure, implementation of the bus rapid transit (BRT) project will be a priority. The first 23 km long BRT line is to be built by 2016. “The completion of the project will allow full coverage of the left bank and the right bank areas of the city with 63 kilometres of BRT lines,” Tasmagambetov added.
The akimat (regional government) of the Akmola region held a meeting to discuss the recent presidential address to the nation. Akim (Governor) of the region Kosman Aitmukhanov elaborated upon measures to be taken to promote sports among the region’s residents and develop sports facilities and outdoor activities. In 2014, it is planned to commission swimming pools in the Bulandy and Shortandy districts and a fitness centre in the Zharkain district. By 2019, fitness centres will have been built in every district. As earlier reported, 20 volleyball courts, 19 football courts, 28 hockey rinks and a fitness centre in the Atbasar district, a swimming pool in the Akkol district, a tennis center in Kokshetau and a sports complex in the Burabai district were built in the region in 2013. “All of these measures will help increase the number of people exercising and playing sports on a permanent basis to 30 percent by 2020. Presently, this indicator is at 22 percent,” Aitmukhanov said.
Free courses on the state language were be launched in Astana on Jan. 24, 2014. All people willing to take the courses should submit their applications from Feb. 20 until Mar. 10. The courses will be held two times a week. Classes will consist of at least 12 people. Participants will be divided into three groups according to their level of knowledge. To enroll, please call: +7 (7172) 21-11-85, 21-36-41, +7(775) 902-61-89. It should be noted that there are a lot of people in Astana willing to study the Kazakh language.
The Astana Opera Theatre announced the opening of an opera and ballet studio for children. All children aged 8-10 years are welcome to try ballet, all candidates for the opera classes must be 6-15 years old .Children in the choir, orchestra, and instrumental groups must be from 10-16 years old. Priority is given to children with musical talent or that have music education, the press service of the theatre stated. Manager of the children’s studio of the Astana Opera Theatre Maiya Beknazar said the opera studio will prepare artists for the children’s choir and chamber orchestra. “Coping with stage fright is very important for young performers as well as developing artistic potential and a sense of rhythm. For this purpose, all students of the opera studio will take classes in acting techniques,” Beknazar emphasized. All students of the studio will have a busy schedule as long as the children’s choir and instrumental groups participate in operas and concerts of the theatre together with the adult groups. They will also stage children’s plays. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 21 on the website of the theatre www.astanaopera.kz (in the “About the Theatre” section).
