On September 10, Lida /Elena Stasyukevich - BELTA/. Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky highly praised Lida's readiness to host the republican festival-fair "Dazhynki-2010". Today, during a working trip, he visited the main facilities of this year's festival capital, according to a BELTA correspondent. According to Sergei Sidorsky, the final results of the grain harvesting competition will be announced next week. Lida is completing preparations for "Dazhynki". As the Prime Minister noted, Lida is rapidly preparing to welcome participants and guests of the national holiday. A colossal amount of work has been done here in six months. But the main thing is that all renovated and newly built facilities will continue to serve the people after the holiday. Approximately Br350 billion has been allocated to Lida for the preparation of "Dazhynki". More than Br260 billion has been spent to date. The list of renovated and newly built facilities includes 220 objects, involving 66 construction organizations and about 5,000 construction workers. It is important that facilities with worn-out fixed assets have been modernized in the city. The most significant projects include the reconstruction of the water park area, which will house a stage with a capacity of about 5,000 seats. An Ice Palace has been built with a stand for one thousand spectators, an ice arena, a swimming pool, a football stadium, and tennis courts. The reconstruction of Lida Castle is underway. The House of Culture, the Lida Hotel, and the Yubileiny Cinema have been renovated. A center for folk crafts has been established in the building of the former Oktyabr Cinema. Not only the city center but also courtyards have been improved. More than 45 km of utilities have been repaired. 29 streets have been revitalized, and trade, healthcare, and education facilities have been brought into order. Residents from demolished housing have moved into a new 110-apartment residential building. By the opening of "Dazhynki", a stele dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Christianity and a sculpture of a lion, symbolizing the city's coat of arms, will appear in the city. In Sergei Sidorsky's opinion, thanks to the work done, Lida will become a regional center that will attract tourists. The planned work on the reconstruction sites will be completed within one to two weeks. It is expected that up to 3,000 members of official delegations and up to 20,000 participants and guests will visit Lida during the holiday. -0-

BELTA