Loading ...Medeo is the world’s largest high-mountainous complex of winter types sports. It is located at the height of 1691, 2 metres above sea level in the natural boundary named the same boundary name. Medeo is located in 18 kilometres from Almaty, the economic centre of Kazakhstan, as it is stated in many encyclopaedias of the world.
Medeo Almaty
Historians assert that the natural boundary Medeo, is named after the name of a bai, whose residence was located in this place and he was known as a kind and a fair person. The natural boundary is located in a river valley of Small Almatinka at the height of 1520-1750 metres above sea level. Average temperature of air is minus 4 degrees in January. In July it is plus 18 degrees. The sun shines almost 1600 hours per year. This information is well known for almost each inhabitant of Almaty. Very few people know, that the idea of construction of a natural high-mountainous skating rink in the former Soviet Union has appeared not long after end of the Second World War.
At the turn of 40-50 years of last century Konstantin Kudryavtsev, the world famous sprinter and Victor Kuchmenko, the worker of the Sport committee of the USSR, for a long time, have developed the idea of building of the high-mountainous skating rink in the Soviet Union, which would be similar to ice stadiums of Davos and Santa Moritz. The destiny has brought them together with Anatoly Melnikov, a diplomat, the son of that great ice fast walker Yacob Melnikov. During one of their trips to Stockholm Anatoly Yakovlevich has told them history of his student’s youth, when he was evacuated to Almaty together with the institute. According to his story, exactly in the spurs of Zailisky Ala Tau there is a place, ideally suited for the building of a high-mountainous skating rink. Especially as the big stocks of fresh waters had been found out there. Accordingly, the place for skating rink was chosen already in 1949.
At first, there was nothing in the Medeo except natural ice and small board benches. However, that was not an obstacle for setting records, right away its opening on February 4th, 1951. The first record has been established already on February, 5th.
Medeo Almaty
Old residents re-call that the natural elementary skating rink has been constructed on the Mohnatki mountain slope, and the news about it disseminated across Soviet Union and abroad, at once. For many Almaty born and bred dwellers trips to Medeo were the significant event at that time. Though the “trip” word in this case is very conditional. The road was narrow and mountain, not like that highway which connects Almaty with Medeo today, everyone wanted to attend the sport show, the chain of cars went from the city to the skating rink. Among the cars going to the rink were old ones, their engines could not withstand the mountain climb and stalled causing the traffic jam on the road. In this case, drivers came out their cars and push the car, that caused a jam, off to road side, and the other car continued to move forward to Medeo to the skating rink competitions.
By the end of 70th of the last century it became clear, that spot achievements cannot be made only because of the unique nature environment of Medeo and healthy ambitions of the previous leader of the Republic demanded satisfaction. And an idea of building the up-to-date sport centre with an artificial skating rink appared. The best forces of Kazakhstan have been involved in order to implement this idea. The construction site has been under the personal control of Dinmuhamed Akhmetovich Kunaev, the Head of the Republic in that time, from the very beginning of the construction. And, in many respects, due to his persistence, the construction was ended rapidly, i.e. for two years. The construction cost exceeded 2 million Soviet Rouble. And, it was worth this money. After all, only the area of the ice field had made 10,5 thousand square metres, and 170 kilometres of pipes of freezing liquid have been laid under it. There was also the modern electronic board, convenient tribunes for spectators, a fine hotel, a sauna and etc. The sport centre was build in 1972, and results had not kept themselves waiting. Skating records of the country, of Europe and of the world were established one after the other, literally. Eventually, the international federation has been compelled to introduce such concept, as high mountain records.
Additionally, the capacity of the refrigerating machinery allowed maintain 5 centimetric ice layer in the field during 8 months, and for skating paths this possibility existed all year, it is possible to imagine the populiaity of this construction in the world. However, Medeo was not only the sport stadium, at that time. For Almaty dwellers and visitors of the capital it was a place of entertainments, romantic meetings and other enjoyments. Thus, the skating rink has turned to a socially significant unit, simply. It was pride not only for Kazakhstan citizens, but, also, for all those who loved productive leisure.Despite the fact that since the end of 80s the state has cancelled the maintance of the Medeo skating rink, it continued to remain the favourite vacation spot for Almaty dwellers and numerous visitors of the southern capital. Some time ago, the variety of concerts and festivals with participation of such world stars as Patrisia Kaas. Bonnie Em, Alla Pugacheva, Toto Kutunio took place, there.
Medeo anti-mudflow dam is located at height of 1733 metres above sea level. It protects the city from streams of mudflow, which are forming on the tops of the Western Tjan-Shan. The dam has three-level height and the special tank that is capable to store up to 6 million cubic metre of water. The ladder of 842 steps leads to the dam. The annual running competition up this unique ladder is conducted here. The competition is popular among dwellers and visitors of the southern capital.
Today Medeo again revives. Money are invested in it again, the modern equipment is bought. An active preparation for carrying out of the Asian Games of 2011 is conducted here. Kazakhstan citizens and visitors of our country will enjoy Medeo high-mountainous pearl, again.