Sienkevych was exasperated by yet another round of questions from councillors about the yachts at the sports school, an issue that has been under discussion for a year now
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Mayor of Mykolaiv Oleksandr Sienkevych, photo by NikVestiMykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych reacted emotionally to yet another discussion on the demarcation of the territory between the «Atlant» sports school and the yacht mooring facility.
During the city council session on 28 May, he stated that he no longer wished to deal with this issue due to the constant delays in the process, according to NikVesti.
A draft resolution was submitted to councillors for consideration, granting the municipal enterprise «Timeset» permission to draw up technical documentation for the division of the sports school’s territory and the yacht mooring area.
However, city councillor Olena Kiseliova stated that she does not support the decision precisely because the municipal enterprise «Timeset» has been tasked with developing the documentation.
«The only thing I don’t like about this decision is the entity being granted permission. Because today this plot of land is in the permanent use of another legal entity of communal ownership. If it were another entity, I would have voted for this decision,» said Olena Kiseliova.
After that, City Councillor Serhii Kantor took the floor, recalling the work of the special commission that had investigated the situation regarding the sports school and the marina. He proposed postponing consideration of the matter so that the council could first familiarise itself with the commission’s recommendations.
«As you know, a commission has been working on this school and has been studying the issue for a long time. I am a member of this commission. A decision was made just the day before yesterday — I don’t know whether the recommendations have reached you or not, but they will. I would like to consider this issue comprehensively, taking into account the commission’s recommendations. I think this issue could be postponed until the next session. Because the recommendations are quite thorough and serious,» he said.
In response, Oleksandr Sienkevych stated that it appears the process is being deliberately delayed.
«And how do the recommendations relate to the process that is running in parallel? It seems as though this process is being dragged out,» said the mayor.
«No, there is no delay. There are many hidden violations there that we would like to resolve, because this concerns the safety of children,» replied the councillor.
«Listen, I’m washing my hands of it. Do whatever you want, investigate whatever you want. Fine. Just going through the motions for the sake of it is a waste of time. I’m not interested in that. Whatever happens, happens,» replied Oleksandr Sienkevych.
«Well, Oleksandr Sienkevych, whether it’s interesting or not…» said Serhii Kantor.
«Go ahead, go ahead,» replied the mayor.
«But we’ve already had enough of that,» remarked the councillor.
«Well done, then carry on,» said the mayor.
Next to speak was city councillor Hanna Nord. She asked whether there would be enough space for the sports school after the land plot was divided and whether it would meet the necessary standards.
«I have a question. How do you intend to divide the plot of land, and is there enough space left for the school to meet the standards required for a school?» said Hanna Nord.
In response, the mayor stated that he saw no point in continuing the discussion, as this issue had been under discussion in the city council for over a year, yet councillors were returning to the same points again.
«This issue simply… You know, I don’t think we should waste time on this now. We’ve been dealing with this issue for a year now. We’ve discussed it, discussed it, discussed it, gathered everyone together: athletes, yachtsmen. The issue came up at the session and these questions are being raised. I can already see that it won’t get any votes. I don’t think we should waste time on this. Let them stew over it, let them get on with it. I’m washing my hands of it. I’m simply not interested in working on something that won’t yield a result. And if we get close to a result and there’s another backtrack, then please, go ahead. It’s the same children and yachtsmen who will suffer. I won’t be dealing with this issue at all. A commission has been set up get on with it,» said the mayor.
It is worth noting that the issue of demarcating the territory of the «Atlant» sports school and the yacht mooring base has been under discussion in the city council for over a year. During this time, several meetings of specialist and joint parliamentary committees have taken place, along with on-site discussions directly at the sports school, as well as meetings involving representatives of yachtsmen, sports schools, the sports department, councillors and the public. A separate temporary committee has also been set up by the city council to investigate the situation.
As a reminder, in February, Mykolaiv returned to considering the issue of dividing the territories of the «Atlant» and «Olimp» sports schools, where part of the land is intended to be allocated for a private yacht mooring facility.
As is known, the city owns two complexes of mooring facilities belonging to the former yacht clubs of the 61st Commune Factory and the Ocean Factory, which are suitable for the operation of a small-scale fleet.
On 17 March, a joint meeting was held of three standing committees of the city council: on housing and communal services, human rights and the rule of law, and on health, education, culture and sport. In addition, representatives of the sports department, the legal department and the directors of the sports schools took part in the meeting.
Inspections and division of the territories of the «Atlant» and «Olimp» schools
It should be noted that Mykolaiv has revisited the issue of dividing the territories of the «Atlant» and «Olimp» sports schools, part of whose land is planned to be allocated for a private yacht mooring. In 2022, the law on inland waterway transport came into force, clearly distinguishing between mooring bases and mooring bases for small vessels.
In 2024, the city was advised to bring both complexes into line with the legislation, and a working group was set up involving the authorities, athletes and school management. The first group analysed the work of the «Atlant» school, which uses the site of the former yacht club of the 61st Communist Factory. The second is reviewing the activities of the ‘Olymp’ school in the Korabelnyi district — this work is still ongoing.
During the inspections, issues were identified regarding hydraulic structures, the management of municipal property, the transparency of tariffs, and the collection of fees for mooring vessels. At the time, Artem Vashchylenko, chair of the expert and public council, noted that the children’s schools had no right whatsoever to engage in vessel mooring, and that funds were being collected in a non-transparent manner.
The mayor and councillors emphasised that the schools’ primary task is to train children. Commercial activities must be separated and comply with the law. The committee agreed to revisit the issue with an expanded membership, involving other committees, school management, the relevant department, and the deputy mayor.
If the session’s decision is adopted, the territories of the «Atlant» and «Olimp» schools will be demarcated: the schools will focus on coaching activities, whilst the municipal enterprise «Timeset» will be responsible for maintaining the moorings and collecting fees for the berthing and storage of vessels.
It later emerged that some of the mooring facilities for small and recreational vessels in Mykolaiv may not open this season, meaning the vessels may not be able to take to the water.
During a staff meeting chaired by the mayor on 2 March, Valerii Vetrov, a representative of the Expert and Public Council of the City Executive Committee, stated that there were about two months left until the start of the season, after which state inspectors would inspect the sports schools’ bases. If the documents or operating conditions do not meet legal requirements, they may not be allowed to open.
Read also the article by NikVesti: «City on the Wave»: how Mykolaiv is reviving and promoting sailing and yachting.
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