Penza, 14 December 2012. PenzaNews. Demolition work over Penza circus building which began in late November has now entered a new active phase — with the use of heavy equipment.
It is planned that the representatives of Samara contractor will finish dismantling structures by January 2013.
According to the project, the completion of construction of the new circus is scheduled for late 2014.
Total cost of work is estimated at 1 billion 350 thousand rubles, around 600 million rubles of which will be allocated from the state budget.
It is expected that the number of seats in the circus hall will be the same. Near the circus, there will appear a hotel equipped with a parking lot.
Penza circus built by Nikitin Brothers in 1873 is the first permanent circus in Russia. It is considered the progenitor of circus arts in Russia: the base of it was shaped in Penza, the first Russian circus artists were raised here.
Originally built Nikitin Brothers built their circus at the Sura River, and the shows were held on ice. The next building for circus performances of different troupes appeared in the city in 1906, the construction was initiated by Albert Sur. This construction was stationary, made of wood and suitable for winter performances. The building existed until the Civil War.
In the years 1920–1950 the circus shows in Penza were held in temporary shelters and circus tent. However, in 1933, Circus “Krasnogvardeets” (“Red Guard”) was built, the construction of which was initiated by red partisans. Here, as well as in other places, regular circus shows were held. The building was demolished in 1959.
For six years, the residents of Penza attended performances at the arena summer circus tent, and in 1965 the new stationary building of the circus opened its doors to the audience, having 1,400 thousand seats. This building is now being dismantled.
