Imatra's budget promises more street and area renovations than before

In the city of Imatra's next year's budget, there are more euros than last year for regional renovations and street repairs.

Urban development and welfare services will invest a total of 8,2 million euros next year. On top of that, there is a reserve of 2,4 million euros for economic policy investments. The city government decides on the use of this reservation.

Area renovations in Virasoja, Karhukallio and Vintteri

In total, the investment reserve of the urban development budget is 7,3 million euros.

In connection with the budget processing, the targets were outlined, the final decisions regarding each investment are always made by the urban development board.

─ I am satisfied with next year's budget. The current year's investments were a good four million as far as basic investments are concerned. Now we have returned to a normal level in terms of investments. This also creates work for subcontractors and our subsidiary responsible for the maintenance of the areas, Kipa, the city engineer Päivi Ala-Vannesluoma says.

Two million euros have been set aside for regional renovations. The work will include streets from three areas, namely Karhukallio, Virasoja and Vintteri. The planning of Meltola's renovation work will also be started.

Regional renovation refers to combined repairs of streets and sewer networks.

─ The work on the Tuulikallio is now done, next year only the paving of some street sections remains, Ala-Vannesluoma states.

In addition to regional renovations, the city also carries out street renovations by resurfacing with either asphalt or sprinkler. That amount has been increased by 200 euros for this year.

─ These items will be decided in the spring, when we know how the frost has treated the streets.

Lights are being renewed in Virasojja, Niskalammi and Huhtase

Street lights will also be renewed for 1,5 million euros. Next year, the renewal of the lights will be done in the Virasoja area renovation sites, Niskalammi (Kaivotie, Korpinkuja, Sieponkuja, Tavinkuja, Huuhkajankuja) and Huhtase.

In addition to the repairs, one new construction site will be implemented in the city next year, when a light traffic lane will be built in Sulkukuja in connection with the renewal of the storm water line. Bidding for that contract will start in the winter and work will start in the spring.

In terms of water supply, Rajapatsa's wastewater pumping station will be renewed. The renovation of the western trunk sewer also continues.

Dog park in the nursery area

In Imatra, the dog park that dog owners have been hoping for for a long time will be implemented. Ukonniemi has been planned as its location, as the dog owners had hoped for in a previous survey of the city.

─  The park is located in the area of ​​a former nursery. It will be approximately 3500 square meters in size. The area is divided for the use of large and small dogs, the city gardener Erika Luhtanen tells

The city takes care of maintenance, for example fences. Users are responsible for maintenance, i.e. dog owners have an obligation to collect waste in the garbage.

With these prospects, the park can be built in the spring, the intention is to put the dog park into use next summer.

Welfare services renew sports fields

Along with urban development, welfare services also invest in the regions. Its next year's budget includes the renovation of the Imatrankoski and Linnala sports fields.

Linnala's work has already started this year. In Imatrankoski, the field is being renovated mainly for school use, but other operators and events are also taken into account.

Elpo reservation 2,4 million euros

The city has set aside 2,4 million euros for economic policy investments (elpo) for next year. The city government decides on the use of this reservation in more detail.

It will cover a wide variety of smaller investments, such as the preparation of the overall plan for the Ukonniemi area, signage in the same area, and the construction of a beach toilet and changing shelters.

According to the preliminary plan, the Elpo reservation will also cover Mansikkala's noise protection, the renovation of Koskipuisto and the investments of the Vuoksi project.

There is also a reservation for the further construction of Mioni park in the elpo reservation.

For more information:

City engineer Päivi Ala-Vannesluoma, p. 020 617 4418 (urban development investments)

City gardener Erika Luhtanen phone 020 617 4322 (Parks and green areas)

Water supply manager Kari Pietarinen, tel. 020 617 4399 (water supply investments)

Head of Welfare Services Arja Kujala, phone number 20 617 2227 (Investments of Welfare Services.)