საწყლოსნო-სპორტული კომპლექსი
Architects Shota Kavlashvili, Ramaz Kiknadze, Guram Abuladze – “Tbilkalakproekti”, forth studio
Civil Engineer Rodames Ghudushauri
Artist Nikoloz Ignatov
Design 1964 Construction 1968-1978
Status built
Original function swimming pool
Current function no function
Current title Laguna Vere Aquatic Sports Complex
Current condition partly demolished, abandoned
Address 34, Merab Kostava St. Tbilisi, Georgia
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Laguna Vere Aquatic Sports Complex is located in the central part of Tbilisi, between the right bank of the river Mtkvari and Vera Park. Working on this project started in 1964 by architects of the fourth studio of the Tbilkalakproekti – Shota Kavlashvili, Ramaz Kiknadze and Guram Abuladze. The grand opening of the complex was held in 1978 and it has been named after Lenin Komsomol. This was the first aquatic sports complex in the Caucasus, meeting international standards. Here were held local and international competitions, also teams of swimming, polo, diving and synchronized swimming were trained. In 1982 the project was awarded the Prize of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the First Degree Prize in the quality of construction work.
The architecture of the complex is highly functional. In the central area there are three different sized pools located – largest one for competitions; deep one with a concrete diving tower and third one for training. The stands, designed for 5 500 spectators are in the south of the pools. At the opposite side of them, along the road connecting the Hero Square with the river bank, are the cash registers and two main entrances. This partly blind wall of the main façade is decorated with a long mosaic panel. In this part of the complex are placed the press corps, commentator’s booth, grandstands for press and athletes as well.
The entrances and the stands are connected through the ramps. Under the stands there is a three-story building. Training pool, special hall for training divers and several others for exhibitions, press conferences and presentations are located on the first floor. Main office of the aquatic sports federation, medical and rehabilitation room and sauna are placed on second floor, while third floor is entirely occupied by gyms, athletics and shaping halls. The complex covers 10 250 square meters and is designed to withstand an earthquake of up to seven magnitude.
Author of the mosaic panel on the main façade and interior wall paintings is artist Nikoloz (Koka) Ignatov.
The building has become private property since 2000 and in early 2014 whole complex was closed. The condition of the building has worsened since the flood in 2015. Now Laguna Vere is abandoned and neglected. (mg)
Translation: Ana Kiasashvili
Info: Nini Palavandishvili
Photos: Ramaz Kiknadze personal Archive, Shota Kavlashvili personal Archive, National Archives of Georgia, Simona Rota
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