It is already possible today to realize the format of a “smart” city, in which every Russian would like to live, on the scale of a single ... sports ground. This requires the right format, advanced technology and a team that understands the trends in street sports. How such a sports facility can be useful to local authorities and residents and interesting to investors, Daniil Elizarov, CEO of the RuArena project, told RBC Sport.

— Tell us about the RuArena concept. Why do sports grounds need "intelligence"?

— Today, one of the basic values ​​for business and government is to understand the needs and desires of people and win their trust. Digital transformation allows us to change the culture of interaction between the state, business and citizens, and it also underlies our approach to creating infrastructure for the development of mass sports.

RuArena is a new format that combines IT technologies, client-oriented fitness services and a new professional community. We believe that this is the new era of sports fields.

A typical solution for a city playground (Photo: RuArena) - Is the "new era of sports fields" a declaration of intent or an already formed product? What can you offer Russian regions?

— Today, the sustainable development of the region is directly related to improving the quality of life of the population, and this is one of the main drivers of growth. Ideally, sports infrastructure should be accessible, close to home, and preferably cater to the needs of active sports enthusiasts of all ages. Just horizontal bars are not enough.

Therefore, the key guideline for the successful implementation of our project is the adaptation of sites to the specifics of each subject of the Russian Federation. Our company has studied international and Russian experience in the construction and operation of sports grounds. Based on the received data, we have developed our concept of infrastructure and services focused on future users.

For example, our hardware and software systems were included in Surgut's "Park on Saimaa", and the entire construction was carried out not only under the supervision of residents, but also in strict compliance with the requirements of environmental safety of a unique corner of nature. ESG strategy in action.

At the moment, our company has reached agreements with the Republic of Buryatia, the Pskov region, the Udmurt Republic, KhMAO, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and the Tambov region. Marketing research is already underway in these regions, as a result of which a financial and economic feasibility study for the project and a program for the development of street sports will be developed.

Photo: RuArena The uniqueness of our project is the digital services that we implement at each RuArena site. They allow you to operate the site more efficiently: reduce operating costs, ensure safety and, if necessary, create new types of sports services based on the current needs of users online.

RuArena is Wi-Fi, an information panel, a charging station, musical accompaniment, energy-efficient lighting, a biometric access system, video surveillance and security system, integration with external services, a new Arena FUN application - a sports social network and marketplace.

Operation costs can be reduced to zero

— Let's talk about the financial side — the project involves a new financial model for the implementation of sports grounds. What is it?

— Speaking about the financial side, it is important to note that the RuArena project is a social infrastructure that is being created using PPP mechanisms, or rather, under a concession agreement.

This trend is set by the Ministry of Sports of Russia — for the first time in domestic practice since 2018, the federal agency began to allocate subsidies to private partners for the creation of sports infrastructure through the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

We offer the regions to conclude a concession agreement for a period of 5 years. The commercial revenue of the project is provided by additional services of the mobile application, Big Data for AI developers in the Sport Tech segment, attracting advertisers from the sports segment, placing outdoor advertising on the site surfaces, holding commercial events and promotions.

In other words, in 5 years we are building a working system that can significantly reduce the current costs of operating the facility down to zero.

A typical solution for a regional site (Photo: RuArena) — Who are the project partners, can you count on the most advanced solutions for the arrangement of sites?

- Initially, the idea itself was born from the interaction of IT technologies and social activities in street sports. For four years, it has changed, acquired specificity and involved more new followers.At the moment, the project team consists of the RuArena company itself, which manages the project and is the developer of all solutions, as well as companies: Smart Networks Group - responsible for the development and integration of software, Illuminate Company - responsible for the development of all hardware solutions, VisionLabs - AI development, PJSC Rostelecom is a technology and infrastructure partner, RASS is the design and development of sports facilities and experts in the field of PPP. More details about partners can be found on the information portal www.ruarena.ru.

- How does the interaction with you begin?

- Everything is very simple - on our website www.ruarena.ru anyone can fill out an application form and leave their contacts. Our experts will contact him, tell you more about our sites and recommend what further steps you need to take. For example, for representatives of the regional or municipal administration, we provide a roadmap, after the approval of which and the conclusion of an agreement, we carry out all the necessary pre-project activities for maximum efficiency from implementation.

We will provide assistance to initiative groups of citizens or public sports organizations in drafting requests to executive authorities to consider the possibility of creating a RuArena site within the framework of federal or regional projects and we will advise who needs to send them.

For developers or representatives of the business community, we have also prepared a special offer for the creation and operation of RuArena sports grounds in new neighborhoods or on the territory of large enterprises, with the possibility of integration into existing information systems of the customer, including the provision of a White label.

Photo: RuArena — What goals and objectives of the state does the project correspond to?

— Presidential Decree “On the national development goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030”, which defines the priority areas for the development of our country. Our project contributes to the achievement of four of the five stated goals: the preservation of the population, the health and well-being of people, the increase in life expectancy; opportunities for self-realization and talent development; comfortable living environment; digital transformation.

In addition, the federal project "Business Sprint" ("I choose sport") was recently launched. This is a new approach to the development of sports infrastructure for mass sports, as well as testing the client-centric method.

All risks under control

— What risks may arise during the implementation of the project?

— One of the most global risks is the insufficient level of competencies in the practice of applying PPP mechanisms. To reduce this risk, RuArena structures projects jointly with the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, as well as using the PPP practice database on the ROSINFRA information portal.

The next risk factor is the lack of practice of applying the approach in obtaining commercial revenue not from the rental of sports facilities, but from additional digital services. RuArena will prepare a platform development concept through marketing research, including a media campaign aimed at reducing the level of conformity.

The lack of suitable land plots is also a risk, in which case we can offer the renovation of existing sports facilities.

Photo: RuArena - Question about the "stuffing" of the sports ground. Why this particular configuration? Why panna football and not table tennis, for example?

— Streetball, panna, street football and workout are our basic offer. These species are popular among young people and are microformatted.

However, the configuration can be any. The final decision will be made based on the results of marketing research in each individual region.

The social movement RUSSIA UNITES Mass sport community is responsible for the sports content in the project. They have held a large number of street sports festivals, one of the most significant being the first street football world championship held in Kazan in 2019.

— How many objects do you plan to launch in the next year?

— In 2022, we have rather ambitious plans — we are ready to build and equip up to 50 sites across the country with software and hardware systems. However, we understand that we are at the beginning of a long journey, and taking into account the huge amount of work on coordination, preparation of documents, tender procedures and conclusion of contracts, I am sure that the plan will be adjusted. I hope to increase. From 2023, the planned design volume of commissioning is up to 200 facilities per year.

Summing up, I want to note that it is possible to create a truly innovative product only by creating the highest value for the consumer.

Typical solution for a site in a microdistrict (Photo: RuArena)

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