Penza, 6 January 2015. PenzaNews. A new bike and skiing trail 2.28 km long has been opened in Akhuny neighborhood of Penza city during an official ceremony held on Thursday, January 6.

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In his address to the audience, Alexei Ryabov, deputy chairman of the regional government, thanked everyone who came to the sports event in spite of the snapping frost.

“All of us, people who love ski races and healthy lifestyle, will give this nice illuminated trail a try today. It will be completed in spring, and will be open practically all year round to regain your strength and health here. I wish you all good mood, sound health and swift skis,” he said.

In his turn, Vladimir Zhuchkov, deputy chairman of the Penza region physical education and sports committee, pointed out the new trail is a skiing alternative to the Olympic alley designed for running, and has great potential to become a better active sports location.

“There are plans to create several training camps, a children’s training camp. I think a lot of people will like this place. We also plan to set up mobile food trucks and a WC area,” he announced.

According to Vladimir Zhuchkov, the administration is currently negotiating with local business-makers in order to install changing buildings for visitors.

“We plan to use the building of the Akhuny-Lenino forestry nearby if any of the businessmen answers our request and sets up a ski rent point there. Or set up a mobile truck for changing clothes, while we will store the skis there [in the forestry building]. I think one of these options will be implemented very soon,” added the sports official.

He added that evening lightning system is already active on the ski and bike trail.

“The system here is automatic: when it gets dark, a light detector turns the lights on. If nobody is on the trail at night, it turns itself off automatically,” Vladimir Zhuchkov explained.

The event featured sports competitions for children for photo CDs of Penza region landmarks.

Afterwards, the officials opened the trail for visitors.

As PenzaNews agency reported earlier, the Penza region governor Vasily Bochkarev voiced his plans to create a new active recreation area in Akhuny during his press meeting on July 31, 2014.